WASHINGTON – Portable technology is taking its toll on children’s eyes.
Kids complaining of eye discomfort and fatigue, blurry vision and headaches might be suffering from a syndrome that can be hard to identify.
Children are especially vulnerable to computer vision syndrome because of the long hours they spend with television, video games, computers, and handheld devices, says the American Optometric Association.
Technology can be a helpful learning tool, but kids may ignore problems that an adult might notice when viewing a screen, such as glare and bad lighting.
Experts recommend limiting a child’s time in front of a screen. Usually, experts say, symptoms go away once the child takes a break from the screen.
Opthamologists also suggest building in break times and making an eye exam part of the back-to-school routine.
WTOP’s Jeanne Meserve contributed to this report.
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