School's Out, Eyes Open: Amazing tips for parents this holiday!
School holidays' round the corner! Time to freshen up, have a good rest - and complete holiday homeworks. But wait, here are some things that you should note for your child's eyes during the break.
Avoid excessive screen time.
The recommended amount of screen time for children is less than 2 hours. Bring them out and have fun together without being distracted by digital devices!
While going for an outdoor bonding activity like having a picnic at East Coast Park or going to SuperPark at Suntec, not only can you help your child cut their screen time, you can also reduce the progression of their short-sightedness (myopia)! Short-sightedness is the reduced ability to look at far objects clearly.
Screen time also reduces the rate of blinking, which leads to dry and irritated eyes. This is because of high attention to the vivid colors and interactions available on our digital devices. That's why you might see your kids rubbing their eyes more often after their screen time. Emphasize on blinking as it helps to spread tears on the surface of the eye to keep it moist.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule
Not only screen time, near work can cause strained, tired eyes. Make sure that your child takes visual breaks of at least 20 seconds, looking 20ft(6 meters) away for every 20 mins of reading or doing school work!
Breaks are important, taking a break can help to reduce frustration and stress of finishing work. Understand that not everyone can run a full day marathon without a break! It can be overwhelming at times: either for your child's eyes or psychologically, and taking a break to freshen up can make them complete the tasks faster.
Spend more time outdoors (highly encouraged)
If your child does this, the first 2 tips are already included as a package! The best time to be outdoors would be in the morning, when it is not burning hot. But when you bring your child outdoors in the afternoon, wear sunscreen and a protective cap or sunglasses to reduce the amount of sunlight going into the eye. Also make sure they don't look at the sun directly! All they need is minimum 2 hours of outdoor activity per day to reduce the risk of myopia. Try as much as possible because we feel you as fellow parents!
Myopia can develop when the eye is too tired from focusing on a near object, which is not a good sign as many problems may arise from uncontrolled myopia! You may consider getting your child a special lens, named myopia control lenses (hint: no sponsorship but trust us, they work), to reduce the risk of developing serious problems caused by myopia.
While indulging in the long awaited, relaxing holidays, It is important that eye health is being taken care of. Ultimately, the eye is the window to the soul. So let's care for our children's eyes together. Do what it takes to preserve your child's precious gift of sight; taking frequent breaks and engaging in outdoor activities!
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