Computer Vision Syndrome and Children - AllAboutVision.

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Children and Computer Vision Syndrome

By Gary Heiting, OD, and Larry K. Wan, OD

In the past decade, computer use among children in the United States has become pervasive. Consider
these statistics:
94 percent of American families with children have a computer in the home with access to the
Internet.*
The amount of time children ages 8 to 18 devote to entertainment media (including computer
and video games) each day has increased from 6.19 hours in 1999 to 7.38 hours in 2009.**
In 2009, 29 percent of American children ages 8 to 18 had their own laptop computer, and
kids in grades 7 through 12 reported spending an average of more than 90 minutes a day
sending or receiving texts on their cell phones.**
Many pediatric eye doctors believe that heavy computer use among children puts them at risk for early
myopia. Recent research appears to confirm that fear.
A large study conducted by the National Eye Institute and published in the December 2009 issue of
Archives of Ophthalmology found that the prevalence of nearsightedness among Americans has
increased from 25 percent to 41.6 percent of the population over the past 30 years an increase of
more than 66 percent.
Also, among people with 12 or more years of formal education, the prevalence of myopia is now as high
as 59.8 percent.

Should you worry about how much time your

child spends in front of the computer every
day?

Sitting for hours in front of a computer screen stresses a child's eyes because the computer forces the
child's vision system to focus and strain a lot more than any other task. This can put children at an
even greater risk than adults for developing symptoms of computer vision syndrome.
Today it is a "near-point world," and parents need to be aware of the vision problems associated with
computer work. Computer use demands fine motor skills from young eyes that are not well developed.
Only when the visual system matures is a child better able to handle the stress of a computer on that
system.
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), parents should consider these factors
affecting children and computer use:
Children may not be aware of how much time they are spending at a computer. They may
perform a task on the computer for hours with few breaks. This prolonged activity can cause
eye focusing and eye strain problems.
Children are very adaptable. They assume that what they see and how they see is normal
even if their vision is problematic. That's why it is important for parents to monitor the time a

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Computer Vision Syndrome and Children - AllAboutVision.com

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child spends working at a computer and make sure they have regular eye exams as directed
by their optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Children are smaller than adults. Since computer workstations often are arranged for adult
use, this can change the viewing angle for young children. Computer users should view the
screen slightly downward, at a 15-degree angle. Also, if a child has difficulty reaching the
keyboard or placing their feet comfortably on the floor, he or she may experience neck,
shoulder and/or back pain.

Tips To Reduce the Risk of Computer Vision Syndrome in Children

The AOA offers parents these tips to decrease the risk of computer vision syndrome among children:
1. Have your child's vision checked. Before starting school, every child should have a
comprehensive eye exam, including near-point (computer and reading) and distance testing.
2. Limit the amount of time your child spends at the computer without a break. Encourage
kids to take 20-second breaks from the computer every 20 minutes to minimize the
development of eye focusing problems and eye irritation. (Some eye doctors call this the "2020 rule.")
3. Check the ergonomics of the workstation. For young and small children, make sure the
computer workstation is adjusted to their body size. The recommended distance between the
monitor and the eye for children is 18 to 28 inches. Viewing the computer screen closer than
18 inches can strain the eyes. [Read more tips for reducing computer eye strain.]
4. Check the lighting. To reduce glare, windows and other light sources should not be directly
visible when sitting in front of the monitor. Reduce the amount of lighting in the room to
match the computer screen.

Computer Use and Physical Development in Children

In addition to the risk of computer vision syndrome, there is concern that excessive computer use
during childhood may have adverse effects on a child's physical development.
Recently, researchers in Australia and at the University of Washington (Seattle, Wash.) and the Harvard
School of Public Health (Boston, Mass.) reviewed the current scientific literature about this and
published a number of guidelines for parents to help their children attain appropriate physical
development.
These guidelines include:
1. Encourage a mix of tasks throughout the day. Children should take frequent breaks from
computer use and to take part in a variety of activities that involve postural changes and
physical movement. Performing sedentary tasks using electronic media (computer use,
watching TV, texting, etc.) should be limited to less than two hours per day.
2. Encourage the use of proper postures when working at a desktop computer. Workstations
should be designed to suit the child's size and enable a range of suitable postures. Among
other suggestions: Feet should be able to rest comfortably on the floor; desk height should at
elbow height; document holders should be used to position paper materials near the
computer screen; the top of the computer screen should be at eye level; the screen should be
positioned and angled to avoid glare.
3. Encourage appropriate behaviors when using and transporting notebook computers, including
using appropriate alternative postures for variety and using a backpack with dual shoulder
straps for carrying the computer to and from classes.
4. Teach your child computing skills, including how to touch-type with minimum force and how
to use keyboard shortcuts to reduce mouse use.

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5. Teach your child to respond appropriately to discomfort during computer use, including taking
more frequent breaks and, if symptoms persist, seeking advice from a health care
professional.
A complete report of the research is published in the April 2010 issue of the professional journal
Ergonomics.

About the Author: Gary Heiting, OD, is senior editor of AllAboutVision.com. Dr. Heiting has more than 25
years of experience as an eye care provider, health educator and consultant to the eyewear industry. His special
interests include contact lenses, nutrition and preventive vision care. Connect with Dr. Heiting via Google+.
Notes & Resources >>
*Networked Family Survey (Dec. 2007 - Jan 2008). Pew Internet & American Life Project.
2

**Generation M : Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-Year Olds. Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. January 2010.
Increased prevalence of myopia in the United States between 1971-1972 and 1999-2004. Archives of Ophthalmology.
December 2009.
Computer vision syndrome threatens returning students. American Optometric Association. (Press release issued in August
2007.)
Evidence-based guidelines for the wise use of computers by children: Physical development guidelines. Ergonomics. April
2010.
[Page updated October 2010]

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