BLUE LIGHT - WARNING

Eye problems, possible risks and alternative solutions

Children experience massive, early use of and exposure to all types of screens such as smartphones, computers, tablets, consoles and television. According to one study, children between the ages of 4 and 14 years of age watch TV on average 2 hours and 15 minutes a day. In addition, according to the Ordre des Optometristes du Quebec, 20-25% of children between the ages of 5 and 14 have various visual problems requiring treatment by an Optometrist. Health professionals and early childhood experts are warning parents that interacting with screens has become a real addiction. Without realizing this, parents allow their children to be exposed to many risks that can contribute to a number of eye problems. Without knowing it, they expose their children to many risks and confront them with the appearance of many eye troubles.​

Blue light a danger to your child's eyes

The blue light emitted by these screens is very harmful to children’s eyes, which are still vulnerable. It has a direct impact on their health and causes multiple disorders including headaches. Blue light is also responsible for visual fatigue and sleep disorders because blue light exposure reduces our natural production of Melatonin and makes it harder for us to feel sleepy when night-time falls.

​It increases the chance that a child will become astigmatic, myopic or hyperopic in adulthood. Children do not always wear eyeglasses, sunglasses or contact lenses. According to the Ordre des Optometristes du Quebec, “only one third of children are examined by an Optometrist before entering school” and “61% of Canadian parents mistakenly think they can detect their child’s eye problems.”

Nicolette Raubenheimer
B. OPTOM (UDW) MC OPTOM UK

Realizing the need for scholars to have the privilege of studying with spectacles offering the advantage of “Blue Light Protection” yet understanding the financial implications of affording these lenses, our child vision care Optometrist Nicolette Raubenheimer approached Carl Zeiss and managed to secure 30 FREE pairs for those in need. Please contact any of our 3 practices for further details.