A
study by the Department of Health in Taiwan shows that the percentage
of first graders with myopia has increased from 12.1% to 20.4% since
1995. A similar study in Singapore showed a remarkable 34% increase.
A
1999 Cornell University study reports that children may be at risk for
repetitive stress injuries because school computers are often set up
incorrectly for children.
Children
are very adaptable and frequently ignore problems such as dry eyes,
blurred vision or eye fatigue. Another problem with extended periods
of computer use is the tendency for your eye to over-focus creating
difficulty in switching from the monitor to objects across the room.
Solutions:
Children and Computer Vision
-
Before starting school every child should have a comprehensive eye
exam, including a computer vision exam.
-
Workstations
should be arranged to suit a child, not an adult.
-
The
recommended distance between the monitor and the eye for children
is 24-28 inches. By sitting closer than 20 inches, they risk straining
their eyes.
- Children's
feet should not be dangling, but resting flatly on the floor or on a
foot rest. Without some type of leg support, children tend to lean forward
to brace themselves and this may cause arm, back and neck discomfort.
- Parents
and teachers should be aware of any behavior that indicates potential
problems such as eye redness, frequent rubbing of the eyes, head turns
or other unusual postures or complaints of blurriness or eye fatigue.
An avoidance of the computer may also be an indication of discomfort.
- The
20/20 rule: every 20 minutes take a twenty second break and look 20
feet away. This breaks the tension in the focusing mechanism in your
eye.
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