​“We are often asked whether LED devices and TV screens are bad for children’s eyes and how long they should be allowed to watch TV or play on these devices. I think the following article will help answer your questions.”​

Before the age of 2, and from the ages of 2 to 3 According to some studies, before the age of 2, non-interactive screens such as those used for television and DVDs have only negative effects. They can cause visual disturbances, weight gain, delayed language, a lack of concentration and attention, and should therefore be avoided for infants. Between 2 and 3 years of age, exposing children to television in a passive and prolonged way and without an interactive, educational human presence is strongly discouraged. Of course, the ideal would be not to expose them at all to these screens because, at this age, children need to build their temporal and spatial guidelines. For that reason, good vision is extremely necessary. ​ From the age of 3, screens help children to distinguish between the real and the virtual. They will be able to copy and imitate what they see. However, they should not spend more than 1 hour per day in front of a screen (all devices combined). Screens are good, but in small doses.

​From 4 to 6 years of age At about 4 years of age, computers, game consoles and especially (parents) cellular phones can become an occasional casual gaming for the child. However, it is important to pay attention to a child’s hours of use and to avoid allowing a child to play alone because at this age, and up to 6 years old, addiction can appear. It is therefore necessary to avoid allowing a child to have a personal device before this age. ​ Moreover, it is between the ages of 3 and 6 that a child needs to develop all of his manual and sensory possibilities. Optometrists recommend that children not exceed 1 hour of screen use per day. In addition, health and childhood professionals suggest that the programs and applications chosen must be of high quality. In addition, they recommend that parents are present in order to explain what their child is seeing and how it applies to the world around them.

6 to 12 years of age and older It is important for the social development of the children to be established when the child is between 6 and 10 years of age. That is to say, it is best to set a certain amount of screen time per day so that the child can discover social gaming and involve themselves with others. From 9 to 12 years of age, children need to explore the world and its complexity.

THE BEST WAY TO COPE WITH SCREEN ADDICTION: CHANGE EDUCATION AND GET AN EYE EXAM

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.