Children can experience many of the same symptoms related to computer use as adults. The only difference between adult’s problem and that of children is that the kids really don’t know what to say about this situation. Understandably, they don’t complain about the symptoms of computer vision syndrome (CVS). However, surveys show increasing computer-related vision problems among children. How to prevent these problems? What should recommend to parents?

It’s troublesome that according to the American Optometric Association only 16 percent of adults worry that their children’s eyes may be affected by extended computer time. We can see overuse of the computer by kids. One out of two children spends more than four hours a day in front of a computer screen. One recent University of California study found 30 percent of school-age computer users were at risk for CVS, headaches, eye fatigue and shoulder pain. On the other hand, preventing these conditions from developing can be considered as a long-term investment for health and well-being. Preventing serious health conditions from developing is like getting your child the best life insurance policy that money can buy.

Here are some things to consider for children using a computer:

• Put age-based daily limits on computer use by children.
• Parents should invest in a chair that can be adjusted for the child’s height. The recommended distance between the monitor and the eye for children is between 18 and 28 inches.
• Carefully check the lighting for glare on the computer screen.
• Encourage children take at least a 20-second break for every 20 minutes of computer time (depending on child’s age).
• Parents should take their children for an annual eye exam and discuss computer use with their eye doctor.
• Parents should keep their eyes open for signs of eye strain in children (eye redness, rubbing their eyes, eye fatigue, limited attention to visual tasks. 

What is the maximum amount of time per day your child should spend on the computer to avoid eyestrain? According to VSP network doctor Stuart Spind, O.D., the answer depends on your child’s age:

References:

• Impact of Computer Use on Children’s Vision
• Computer Eyestrain in Kids Is Worth Monitoring

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