According to Google Trends data, searches for children’s prescription glasses have increased by 219.3% over the past 10 years, showing growing concern about children’s vision due to increased screen time and other near-focus activities becoming more commonplace in daily life.
Common Sense Media also reports that the average daily screen time of school-age children has increased significantly, from about 2 to 3 hours to 6 to 9 hours over the same period.
To reduce digital eye strain and protect their children’s eyesight, a specialist from Overnight Glasses has provided parents with hands-on tips:
1. The Two-Hour Outdoor Rule
- Main risk: Children who spend less than 1 hour outdoors per day have a 30-40% higher risk of developing myopia.
- Main Solution: Aim for children to spend at least 2 hours of outdoor time daily, especially on school days.
“2+ hours/day outdoors is associated with a 23-50% reduction in new myopia onset, according to school-based intervention studies reported by BMJ Open Ophthalmology,” the expert explains.
2. The “24-Point Font” Rule
- Main risk: Small font sizes can increase eye strain by hindering the eye’s ability to refocus.
- Main solution: Set children’s devices to use larger fonts, ideally 20-24 points.
The expert continues, “Research from Nanotechnology Perceptions shows that greater font size allows the eye’s ciliary muscles to focus more easily, minimizing the strain from constantly altering focus and enhancing visual stability.”
3. Avoid Dark Mode for Learning
- Main risk: Dark mode dilates pupils, reducing focus and increasing strain during prolonged near work.
- Main solution: Switch to light mode when reading, doing homework, or other schoolwork.
The expert continues, “There are studies by researchers at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf showing that reading in light mode versus dark mode improves reading accuracy and focus by 10–20%, especially during longer study sessions, since it helps students’ pupils adapt better and makes their focus more consistent.”
Precautions From an Eye-Care Specialist
According to an eye care professional, “One study revealed that as screen time increases, blink rate decreases from 15.4 ± 3.6 to 10.9 ± 2.8 blinks/min, which is linked to more severe digital eye strain (DES) symptoms.”
The expert cautions that “spending hours on near-focus activities can potentially increase the risk of myopia by 30–40%, especially with little outdoor time.”
The expert concludes, “As our reliance on technology continues to grow, it’s important to prioritize simple habits to protect eye health and overall well-being, which is essential to staying healthy.”
The 20-20-20 Rule
In addition to the above expert-recommended tips for children, I like to use the 20-20-20 Rule.
The 20-20-20 rule is an easy-to-remember technique to reduce digital eye strain caused by prolonged screen time. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to view something 20 feet away. This practice relaxes the focusing muscles in the eyes, prevents fatigue, and helps reduce dryness.
Key Details About the Rule
- Purpose: It mitigates the effects of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), which causes symptoms like headaches, dry eyes, and blurry vision.
- How it Works: When looking at screens, eye muscles are constantly engaged. Looking 20 feet away allows these muscles to relax.
- Implementation: Children and adults can use it while working, gaming, or using mobile devices to break up long periods of focus
- Additional Tips: Along with the 20-20-20 rule, consciously blinking more often helps keep eyes moist.
For optimal eye health, it is also recommended to ensure proper lighting, reduce glare, and keep screens at a comfortable distance (The elbow rule: keeping screens at a minimum of elbow-to-wrist distance).
This article was created at the WHN News Desk in collaboration with Heidi Fletcher on behalf of Overnight Glasses, where they believe that when time is crucial, you shouldn’t have to compromise on quality, and they work to ensure high standards of craftsmanship using premium materials for all orders, while still providing the fastest delivery times.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN neither agrees nor disagrees with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Additionally, it is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
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