TEXT DR. GREG W. MCGREW
L ook around these days and you will often see
very young children playing on mom or dad’s
tablet or smart phone. Recent studies have
showed that 38 percent of babies under the age
of 2 are using an electronic mobile device, and over 40
percent of parents report their children spending three
or more hours per day on these digital screens.

4. Apply blue light filters to any digital devices your child
uses. The high-energy blue light emissions from digital
screens may be just as harmful to the eye as UV light
from sun exposure. The risk to children is even higher
since they hold the screens closer and have pristine
clear eye tissues that allow more light to reach the
back of the eye.

While today’s technology offers a myriad of great
options for educating and amusing children, parents
need to make sure their tech-savvy kids are protected
from the potentially harmful effects of excessive
screen time. As an optometrist, my focus is on their
developing eyes, but as a father, I know it’s equally
as important to consider the effects on their growing
bodies and minds.

Blue light filters are available as a clear transparent
film that is easily applied to the screen surface, and
double as protection for the screen against scratches
and stains. Avoid blue light blocking apps — they
may subdue some blue light frequencies to reduce
eyestrain, but don’t eliminate the harmful light rays.

I’ve put together some guidelines for parents when it
comes to screen time and the health and wellness of
their kids.

1. Set limits on the amount of time your children spend
on digital devices. For younger children, this can be as
simple as setting a kitchen timer, and for older kids, it
could require cutting off the WiFi after a certain time,
even if that requires setting password restrictions.

2. Encourage tots to explore their world physically
using all their senses. Young children need to learn
to interact with their world physically and socially
as they develop their visual, auditory and hand-eye
coordination. Screen time is a sedentary, stationary
and isolated activity that neglects some important
aspects of their physical and mental growth. Nothing
beats a walk in the park or trip to the playground with
a friend to get your kids engaged and interacting with
their world. Resist the temptation to use the iPad as a
pacifier. 3. Limit your own digital device use around your
children. Children will mimic your behavior and start
demanding screen time when they see you tapping
away, but more importantly, you can’t give your child
100 percent of your attention while you are texting
or surfing. Use your “together time” to engage in
conversation, start silly games and stories, or draw
pictures together.

5. Look into lenses designed for use in the digital age. If
your child already wears glasses, ask about “digital
lenses.” These lenses are designed somewhat like
bifocals. They offer a small amount of magnifying
power to alleviate the eye strain induced when
locked into a close focus for extended periods of time.

Children who don’t wear glasses full time and adults
can also benefit from this new lens technology.

6. Look for signs of eye fatigue in your child and have
their eyes examined. Watch for squinting, rubbing of
the eyes, covering one eye, excessive blinking and
watering eyes as possible signs that your child has a
vision problem. School screenings are not a substitute
for a complete eye examination — typically, they only
test long-distance vision, overlooking possible eye
coordination and near-focus issues.

Be sure your child has had an eye examination by
the time they enter kindergarten and take them in
sooner if you suspect a problem – even infants can be
evaluated for vision problems. If you are concerned
about the effects of digital device use on your child’s
eyes, ask if the doctor routinely prescribes “computer
glasses,” or offers the new lenses designed for
computer users when scheduling your appointments.

Dr. Greg W. McGrew has run his family-oriented optometric practice in Leesburg,
VA, since 1987. In addition to providing general eye health care, optical services
and contact lenses, his Low Vision Clinic offers specialty services for the visually
handicapped, and he serves as eyecare provider for a number of correctional facilities
in Virginia. To learn more, visit www.eyecarecenterleesburg.com.

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