Digital Eye Strain in North York

Smartphones, tablets, and computers have made our lives infinitely more efficient. We can order dinner, shop for groceries, get concert tickets, and sign the kids up for activities all from the comfort of our homes.

Screen use is at an all-time high. Canadians spend an average of 11 hours each day looking at their digital devices. While electronics have added plenty of positives to our lives, these very modern devices have created a very modern vision issue.

Digital eye strain is a condition caused by excessive screen time. Blurry vision, headaches, and eye discomfort are all associated with digital device use. If you are concerned about the impact your screen time is having on your vision, book an appointment at Avenue Optometry & Vision Therapy today.

We will discuss your concerns, rule out anything more serious, and provide you with some strategies for mitigating this very contemporary concern.

Children are spending more and more time on screens, with potentially detrimental effects on their eyesight. Children’s visual skills are still developing, and too much digital device usage can increase their risk of acquiring a vision condition.

We recommend that children ages 2–5 have their screen time limited to 1 hour or less each day. Children ages 5 and up should not spend more than 2 hours using gaming consoles, televisions, or smartphones. Younger children, from birth until age 2, should not use screens at all.

Parents should encourage regular breaks from devices, and ensure that children play outdoors frequently. Lack of outdoor play can be a risk factor in developing nearsightedness.

Cognitive delays, higher risk of obesity, and poor sleep quality are just a few of the health issues that can occur from too much screen time.

We recommend regular, comprehensive eye exams for children, beginning at a young age.