Kids and Computers

Sight & Sun Eyeworks of Gulf Breeze Computer & Kids

Kids and computers are nearly inseparable these days. With school-age kids and even preschool children spending hours in front of a computer every day, many parents wonder if too much computer use is harmful to their child’s eyes.

Here’s good news: Recent research suggests computer use among preschool children may actually improve their readiness for school and academic achievement. But too much of anything can be a problem.

Like adults, children who spend hours in front of a computer are at greater risk of developing computer vision syndrome — a condition characterized by eye strain, headaches, and other overuse and fatigue symptoms. Some specialists believe prolonged computer use by young children might put them at risk for progressive myopia (nearsighedness).

For these reasons, it’s a good idea to set guidelines for your children when it comes to the amount of time they spend in front of a computer.Experts say children working at a computer or playing computer games should take a break every 20 to 30 minutes to stand and stretch. During these breaks, your child should look at something far away for a few seconds to relax his or her eyes. Doing so can help reduce focusing fatigue that can cause eye strain and may increase the risk of nearsightedness.

To prevent headaches and neck and back pain, make sure your child has a comfortable workplace for computer use, where they can sit with good posture at a comfortable distance from the screen without slouching forward.

To make sure your kids are ready for computer use at school, schedule a comprehensive eye exam for them prior to the start of every school year.  Schedule an appointment today by clicking the button below or calling 850.932.4184.

Eye Twitching and Eyelid Twitches

Have you ever had an annoying eyelid twitch? Episodes of eye twitching (really, it’s the eyelid that twitches) are common. These twitches generally are harmless and are not a sign of an eye problem or medical condition.

Usually only the bottom lid of one eye is involved, but the top eyelid also can twitch. Most eye twitches come and go, but some can last for days or even weeks.

Though no one knows for sure why they happen, suspected causes of eyelid twitches include:

Stress. Our bodies react to stress in different ways, and eyelid twitching can be one sign of stress.

Fatigue. A lack of sleep, whether because of stress or some other reason, might trigger lid twitches.

Eye Strain. Vision-related stress can occur if you need glasses or a change to your eyeglasses prescription. Your eyes might be working too hard, triggering eyelid twitching.

Computer Use. Eye strain and eye fatigue from computer use also can cause eye twitching. Sometimes special computer glasses can help.

Caffeine and Alcohol. Too much caffeine and/or alcohol can trigger eyelid twitching.

Dry Eyes. Some eye twitches might be caused by dry eyes. If your eyes feel dry, try using artificial tears to stop the twitching.

If you have a particularly annoying and persistent eyelid twitch, you might want to try placing a cold compress on your closed eye for a minute or two.  In most cases, eyelid twitches stop on their own without any treatment, but if you have a twitch that persists or worsens over time, you should schedule an appointment.

To schedule an appointment, click the button below or call 850.939.3459.