As the new school year rolls around, students will pick out their outfit for the first day of school, pack their lunches and of course, charge their digital devices. More and more children utilize technology in academic settings and according to Project Tomorrow, a national education nonprofit organization, one-third of U.S. students will use a school-issued mobile device. Studies show excessive use of devices can actually lead to long-term damage in vision and performance.

MyEyeDr., a full-service optometric vision care company, is kicking off the new school year with ways to help parents encourage students to use devices responsibly: 

• Mind your posture. Your digital device posture, that is. Children working on computers or tablets should position devices at least 20 inches from their faces to decrease eye strain. They should also position the screen slightly downward to decrease tension on the neck and back.
• Stare into space. Parents should encourage children to use the 20-20-20 rule – look away from the screen at an object on the wall -- 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This breaks up screen time and allows for more regular blinking.
• Go shopping. Invest in the right lenses to correct vision and ensure academic performance.
• Take a hike. According to the Vision Council, children who play outside regularly are 23 percent less likely to develop myopia, or nearsightedness. Parents can even consider this a reward for children who have learned how best to manage their digital device usage.  

Increased screen time has been associated with myopia, or nearsightedness, in children,” said Dr. Artis Beatty, optometrist and vice president of professional services at MyEyeDr. “It’s critical to discuss solutions with your optometrist so your children can use technology safely.”  

Prepping your child for a healthy and successful academic year goes digital eye health. Parents must adhere to an ‘every kid, every year’ mantra for back to school eye exams. Headaches, clumsiness, decreased attention span and poor academic performance can all be related to vision impairment or not wearing the right prescription. 

Schedule an annual eye exam for your child today, and MyEyeDr. can provide additional thoughts on treating and preventing the short-term and long-term impact of technological usage. And just as you head back to school shopping for backpacks, clothes and electronic devices, MyEyeDr. provides all of your child’s vision-related back to school necessities.