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Yesterday I had an eye doctor appointment.
As I sat in the waiting room, I noticed a small magazine entitled “Eye Care”.
It’s published by HealthMonitor.com and is packed full of valuable articles and information.
I know that many parents wonder about any dangerous effects that electronics…and their children’s use of things like mobile phones, iPads, 3-D handheld video games and laptops…might have.
Are electronics dangerous to your child’s eyes?
According to Dr. Benjamin Ticho, a pediatric ophthalmologist and associate professor at the University of Illinois:
There are no studies showing permanent or long-lasting visual damage from these types of devices.
But are there any temporary problems that can crop up from staring at portable game devices, surfing online or watching TV for prolonged periods of time?
The answer to this is YES! Strain, fatigue and dry or scratchy eyes can result from doing anything up close where our eyes are doing too many things: focusing, coordinating and moving close together…this can cause the eye muscles to get tired.
What can parents do to help avoid this?
- Put a daily time limit on electronic devices.
- Remind your child to get up frequently while engaged in a task or game.
- Encourage your child to participate in outdoor activities or sports each day.
- Use time playing video games or going on the computer as a reward for completing homework…that will insure that eyes are tired out before homework is done.
Tomorrow I’m going to share: 5 Ways to Treat Screen Strain…for all of you out there who blog.
Related articles
- Healthy Habits for TV, Video Games, and the Internet (education.com)
- Get your head out of the screens! (revolutionarymoms.wordpress.com)
- Ground Rules for the Interactive Child (everydayhealth.com)
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
Hi Vivian, thank you for the reminder. My boys like to watch TV (DVD) especially when they can turn on the TV by them selves. I think I really need to limit their TV time. As for my oldest son, he will not watch TV for long time because he will always be in the school until noon. But my youngest boy will turn on the TV by him self 😀
I will try my best to limit their TV time.
Thank you vivian. I like this post. It is very informative.
http://www.mylifeismyrainbow.wordpress.com
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That’s a good idea, Yulia. But I know it can be difficult, especially when you have so much to do in the house…it can seem like a blessing to have little ones watching the TV and being quiet. 🙂 As long as you are providing other activities as well (reading stories, art activities, playing outside, blocks and puzzles) I think a little TV is ok. Maybe your little one can help with the dusting, laundry sorting, folding clean clothes, etc…it can be a game to young children and good practice for the future also. Also, when you are preparing meals, perhaps your children can help with some of the mixing & measuring…of course you woulldn’t want them near a hot stove…but they could help at the table.
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Hi Viv,
Yes, I can imagine the fatigue after several hours staring at a screen. We do it and ignore the side effects… Thanks for your insights! 🙂
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Hi Eliz,
Thanks for stopping by.:) Yes, now if only I will take my own advice.:)
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