Vision Facts
Facts on Vision Care for Children
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Only 30% of children between the ages of 6 and 16 have had a vision exam in the past 12 months
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Vision disorders are the 4th most common disability in the U.S. and growing rapidly
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Children between the ages of 6 months and 18 years are underserved with many missing regular scheduled eye exams
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Eye issues are very prevalent in the child population due to the increased uses of electronic devices
Facts About the Effects of Electronic Devices
First - What is Blue Light?
Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum -- what the human eye can see. Vibrating within the 380 to 500-nanometer range, it has the shortest wavelength and highest energy. About one-third of all visible light is considered high-energy visible, or "blue," light. Sunlight is the most significant source of blue light. Artificial sources of blue light include fluorescent light, compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, LEDs, flat screen LED televisions, computer monitors, smart phones and tablet screens. [SOURCE]
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Blue-light exposure from screens is small compared to the amount of exposure from the sun. However, there is concern about the long-term effects of screen exposure especially with excessive screen time and when a screen is too close to the eyes.
Because computer screens and digital devices emit a lot of blue light, this unfocused visual "noise" reduces contrast and can contribute to digital eye strain. People also tend to blink less when using digital devices, which contributes to dry eye and eye strain. Other common signs of eye strain include headaches, blurred vision, and neck and shoulder pain. According to the Vision Council, 27% to 35% of Americans reported experiencing one of these symptoms after using digital devices.