Are your kids at risk for computer vision syndrome?

SASKATOON -- The summer holidays are well underway, and if your child is spending more time than usual at the computer or playing video games, the Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists (SAO) would like you to be aware of a few eye-related concerns.

Pointing to the results of a University of California, Berkeley study, SAO warned today that as many as 25 to 30 per cent of child-computer-users have undue stress placed on their visual system. “A strong connection was found between children who work many hours at a computer and premature myopia,” explains SAO (Past) President Dr Dorothy Barrie. “We’ve known for years that as many as 70 percent of adults who work on computers suffer from a condition known as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), but we now know that CVS affects children, too.”

And, according to Dr Barrie, “The more a child overuses a computer, the earlier that child is likely to develop near vision problems.”

Estimates indicate that the average computer-friendly child can spend anywhere from one to three hours per day on the computer doing homework, talking online with friends, and playing games. Staring at a computer screen creates an unusual perspective for the eye, explains Dr Barrie, because it is forced to strain and focus a lot more than with any other visual task.

“Children may be at particular risk for eyestrain because they are more likely to ignore their visual symptoms,” says Dr Barrie. In addition, she points out, children working at a computer station set up for an adult may be looking up at the screen rather than the preferred 15 degrees downward angle, placing further stress on the eyes.

Dr Barrie warns that parents should be careful to keep things in perspective. “We are certainly not saying that children should avoid computers,” she says. “However, it is important for parents and educators to realize that computer use should be monitored and that children should be encouraged to take appropriate visual breaks.”

According to the Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists, a good rule of thumb for a visual break from the computer is the “20-20-20” rule: for every 20 minutes of computer work, take a 20-second visual break by focusing on a distance of at least 20 feet.

SAO also points out that any unusual vision symptoms should be reported to an optometrist for further assessment, and that children should have their eyes examined regularly, regardless of whether or not they report any vision problems.

The Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists represents all practicing optometrists throughout the province.