October 12, 2020

Protecting eyes during screen time

With so many children and college students attending school online, and adults working from home, you may be wondering about how to keep your and your children’s eyes healthy. Staring at digital devices and computer screens can cause eye strain.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends blinking often and following the 20-20-20 rule – every 20 minutes look away from the computer at something that’s 20 feet away for 20 seconds. AAO has a full list of recommendations for reducing eye strain while using digital devices and more specific recommendations for children who are using screens are available on their webpage.

Maintaining overall eye health is important as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends protecting your vision by scheduling regular eye examinations, choosing to eat healthy foods like leafy greens, keeping track of your family’s eye history, wearing sunglasses, and quitting smoking.