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- AOA Champions National Effort to Combat Diabetes
- An Eye Opening Reality: UV Protection for Eyes Especially Important During Summer Months
- Majority of Sports-Related Eye Injuries are Preventable with Protective Eyewear
- Vision Discomfort Associated with Computer Vision Syndrome
- AOA Introduces Electronic Coding Resource Exclusively For Members
- Reduce Your Risk of Developing AMD, Leading Cause of Vision Loss in Older Americans
- Barry J. Barresi, O.D., Ph.D., Appointed Executive Director of the American Optometric Association
- New Research Shows Consumers Who Purchase Contact Lenses Online Face Greater Eye Health Risks Due To Not Following FDA Safety Recommendations
- Early Detection Critical to Treating Glaucoma, Preventing Blindness
- Diabetes: A Top Cause of Blindness Among Adults
- New Survey Shows Few Americans Taking Care of Their Most Valued Sense: Eyesight
- Warning for Consumers: Popular Halloween Eye Wear Accessory Can Permanently Damage Eyes
- Computer Vision Syndrome Threatens Returning Students
- Protect Your Eyes and Attend Professional Fireworks Displays
- Doctors of Optometry Support AMO’s Voluntary Solution Recall, Urge Contact Lens Wearers to Discontinue Use
- Survey Quizzes Americans’ Knowledge of Eye Care Topics
- Project Team Explores Board Certification Process
- Congress Rejects Attacks on Optometry
- Diabetes Is the Leading Cause of Blindness Among Most Adults
- AOA Low Vision University Receives Support From Kemin Health
- AOA Backs Contact Lens Patient Safety Bill Sponsored by Kentucky's Rep. Whitfield
- Former President Carter and American Optometric Association Celebrate InfantSEE's First Birthday by Announcing Results
- American College of Nurse-Midwives Endorses American Optometric Association InfantSEE® Program
- Doctors of Optometry Support Bausch & Lomb's Solution Recall, Urge Contact Lens Wearers to Discontinue Use
- Federal Agencies Investigate Soft Contact Lens Use, Solution as Cause of Serious Eye Fungus
- Eye Fungus Reports Increase as Cases Emerge in United States
- Optometrists Anticipate “Boom” in Eye Diseases as Baby Boomers Turn 60
- AOA Children's Educational Materials Features New Animated Characters
< Childhood Computer Vision Syndrome
Five Tips for Preventing Computer Vision Syndrome
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According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), parents should be knowledgeable of the five tips for preventing Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) in children:
- Have the child’s vision checked. Before starting school, every child should have a comprehensive eye exam, including near-point (computer and reading) and distance testing. Parents and teachers should be aware of any behavior that indicates potential problems, such as eye redness, frequent rubbing of the eyes, head turns, or complaints of blurriness or eye fatigue.
- Strictly enforce the time limit a child uses a computer. Enforce the 20/20 rule: Break every 20 minutes for 20 seconds.
- Check the height and arrangement of the computer. Workstations should be arranged to suit a child – not an adult. A good solution that benefits all is by having an adjustable chair that can be raised for the child’s comfort, since it’s more difficult to lower the monitor. The recommended distance between the monitor and the eye for children is 18-28 inches. Viewing the computer screen closer than 18 inches can strain the child’s eyes.
- Check the lighting for glare on the computer screen. Windows or other light sources should not be directly visible when sitting in front of the monitor. When this occurs, the desk or computer may be turned to prevent glare on the screen. Sometimes glare is less obvious and in this case, holding a small mirror flat against the screen can be a useful way to look for light sources that are reflecting off of the screen from above or behind. If a light source can be seen in the mirror, the offending light should be moved or blocked from hitting the screen with a cardboard hood attached to the top of the monitor.
- Reduce the amount of lighting in the room to match the computer screen. A smaller light can be substituted for the bright overhead light or a dimmer switch can be installed to give flexible control of room lighting. In other cases, a three-way bulb can be turned onto its lowest setting.