Eye strain in children: the causes, the symptoms and how to avoid it

Caring for our children’s health is one of the biggest responsibilities a parent has. Sometimes, however, we fail to pay close enough attention to the health of our children’s eyes. Children’s eyes continue to develop until they are eight years old, so it is important to look after their eyesight from a young age to help ensure that they have good vision later in life. Eye strain can be an indicator of vision problems, and if it is left untreated it can cause vision to worsen.

At Vagaluz we would like to offer you some helpful information regarding the causes and symptoms of eye strain and how to avoid it.

The causes of eye strain in children

Eye strain may be caused by a number of undiagnosed vision problems, such as:

• Myopia or Nearsightedness, in which a person has difficult seeing things in the distance
• Hyperopia or Farsightedness, in which things close to the eye appear blurry
• Astigmatism, a condition which is often accompanied by nearsightedness or farsightedness.
• Eye muscle imbalances.

Too much screen time

Nowadays children spend more and more time in front of a screen watching television or using the computer, smartphone or tablet for school work and for pleasure, and this is also a key producer of eye strain. Children often become so engrossed in video games or watching films or tv programmes that it can lead to them spending hours every day staring at a screen.

The dangers of the sun to our children’s eye health

Although in Britain we do not always get much sunshine, when we do, its ultraviolet rays can cause eye strain and damage our eyes. 

What are the symptoms of eye strain in children?

Eye strain and vision problems in children can be difficult to detect because children often do not realize that their eyesight is imperfect, or they are unable or reluctant to verbalise their concerns. However, here are some symptoms you may be able to identify in your children:

• Complaints about having tired eyes
• Sitting very close to the screen
• Rubbing their eyes a lot
• Squinting
• Discomfort
• Headaches
• Blurry or double vision
• Watery eyes
• Dry eyes
• Sensitivity to light

How to avoid eye strain and keep children’s eyes healthy

Studies have found that spending more time outdoors and not in front of a screen is highly beneficial to children’s eyesight, as well as to their overall development and wellbeing. 

When children are in front of digital devices, make them take frequent breaks so that they are not staring at the screen for long periods of time. 

According to the Association of Optometrists (AOP), children should wear a sun hat and sunglasses to protect them from harmful UV rays. The AOP recommends buying sunglasses that have the CE or British Standard marks. 

Children and adults should have their eyes tested every two years to ensure healthy vision.

We hope that you have found this information about eye strain useful. If you suspect that your child has any problems with his or her vision, take him or her to an optometrist for a check-up. After all, we want our darlings to be able to see well all the time!