At the same time, kids' eyes may lose the ability to focus on other objects because of extended computer time. The association recommends that children take at least a 20-second break for every 20 minutes of computer time.
The association recommends that parents take their children for an annual eye exam and discuss computer use with their eye doctor. According to the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, almost one in four school-age children has vision problems, but only 14 percent of children entering first grade have an eye exam.
The association also recommends that parents and teachers keep their eyes open for signs of eye strain in children, including eye redness, rubbing their eyes, head turns, complaints of blurriness or eye fatigue, or limited attention to visual tasks. Data provided by the association indicates that nearly half of parents don't realize that behavioral problems can be a sign of impaired vision.
More information
To learn more about computer vision syndrome, visit the American Optometric Association.
-- Madeline Vann
SOURCE: American Optometric Association, news release, August 2007
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