Children can spend hours a day looking at computer screens and other digital devices. Some eye doctors say all that screen time has led to an increase in "computer vision syndrome(电脑视力综合征)".
Nathan Bonilla-Warford is an eye doctor in Tampa, Florida, he has seen an increase in problems in children. "A lot more children who are coming into the office either because their parents have noticed that they have headaches or red or watery eyes or discomfort, their near-sightedness, appears to be increasing at a fast rate and they' re worried," he says.
Dr. Bonilla-Warford says part of the problem is that children may be more likely to pay no attention to the early warning signs than adults. "Even if their eyes start to feel uncomfortable or they start to get a headache, they' re less likely to tell their parents, because they don' t want to have the game or the computer or whatever taken away," he explains.
He says another part of the problem is that people blink less often when they use digital devices. "The average person who uses a computer or an electronic device blinks about a third as much as we normally do in everyday life. And so that can result in the front part of the eye drying and not staying wet and protected like normal. "
Eye doctors offer suggestions like the following which is known as the 20/20/20 rule. That means every twenty minutes look away twenty feet or more for at least twenty seconds from whatever device you' re using.
Other suggestions include putting more distance between you and the device and using good lighting. Of course, another way to avoid eye tiredness is to spend less time looking at screens. Many experts say children should spend no more than two hours a day using digital devices—with no screen time for children under two.
While more and more eye doctors have noticed an increase in problems in children.
Dr. David Hunter says he has also seen an increase in his practice. "While it is possible to develop tired looking at various screens for a long period of time, researchers still need to find the exact cause in order to give children more effective suggestions. "
