On another more serious note, with fewer festive gatherings on the horizon this year and staying at home a familiar scenario, many youngsters will inevitably end up spending time in front of a screen. Whether watching a film or playing a game on their tablet, excessive screen use can lead to eyestrain.
Charlotte Cook, Optometrist and Clinical Development Coach at Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists, explains what eye strain is and how to avoid it:
"Eyestrain is a common condition that affects both adults and children and occurs when your eyes get tired from intense use, such as staring at digital devices. Whilst eye strain can be irritating, it usually isn’t serious and will go away once you rest your eyes.
"However, there is a risk of becoming short sighted if you use screens a lot. This is because eyes adapt to what they’re being used for the most. If your children have any symptoms of eye strain – such as headaches or difficulties focusing – it’s a clear sign that they need to take more breaks from screens to avoid any long-lasting damage.
"This Christmas with COVID-19 restrictions, it’s inevitable that children will be in front of a screen for much of the day. This can lead to eye strain and headaches, but there are some simple measures you can take to reduce this.
"Firstly, reduce glare and reflections where possible by making sure the screen is pointed away from light sources. You can also fit anti-glare covers to your screen. If your child wears glasses, you may benefit from a lens with a blue light filter, such as the Zeiss Blue Protect.
"Secondly, regular breaks are vital. The ‘20:20 rule’ suggests that for every 20 minutes a child watches something on a screen, then they must take 20 seconds at least away from it.
“Encourage your child to do something where they are not focussing up close, such as playing outside or go on a walk together to ensure a good chunk of time in the day is spent away from screens.
"Finally, avoid small screens if you can. When we’re using devices like smartphones, we tend to hold them closer to our face and strain our eyes more to read smaller text."
We hope that this guidance helps you and your family avoid eyestrain over the Christmas period and most importantly that you all have a wonderful festive season, filled with fun, laughter and a stack of mince pies!
Warmest regards,
The Bayfields Team.