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As you gear up for another school year, now is the perfect time to consider incorporating some best practices for supporting eye health in your classroom. Teachers can play a crucial role in detecting refractive errors early, preventing computer vision syndrome, and educating families about the importance of children’s eye health. We’re sharing our top tips for creating a learning environment that fosters vision health, from limiting screen time for kids to adjusting the lighting in your classroom.
Classroom Ergonomics
More than half of students report that using a laptop feels uncomfortable. Classroom ergonomics have a direct impact on student health, and it’s easy to prevent eye strain and other issues with a few simple rules:
- Students should sit with their feet flat on the ground, with their thighs and forearms parallel to the chair’s cushion and desk surface.
- Standing desks can provide a much-needed break from sitting.
- Ideally, computer and tablet screens should be at eye level or slightly below. Also, it’s important to encourage students to sit 20” away from screens.
- Seated posture matters. Why not teach students a few simple exercises they can do to engage their core and sit with their shoulders back?
- Incorporate some fun breaks into the school day in the form of stretching exercises and posture checks.
- It’s never too early to teach students about the risks of eye injuries. For instance, you can demonstrate best practices for handing scissors and other sharp objects.
Limiting Screen Time for Kids With Breaks
Incorporating breaks from screens into the school day is an effective way to prevent eye strain. As an educator, you can limit screen time by using resources other than computers, such as physical activities and hands-on learning.
You can also track screen time with a sign-in sheet and set daily limits. For older students, providing a list of pre-approved digital learning activities can help structure screen time and encourage responsible decisions regarding device usage.
The 20-20-20 rule is a great tool for fostering children’s eye health in the classroom. Every 20 minutes, students should take a break and look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
What’s the Best Lightning for Classrooms?
Research suggests children are more sensitive to lighting exposure compared to adults. In a classroom setting, artificial light, blue light from screens, and glare from computer screens can cause eye strain.
There are a few steps you can take:
- Prioritize natural light, which is easier on the eyes and can have a positive effect on mood and engagement.
- Show students how to adjust screen brightness and contrast. Ambient light should be brighter than the screens, and you can position screens to avoid glare.
- Choose a low-color temperature for ambient lighting since research suggests it slows myopia development.
- Encourage students to report discomfort and adjust lighting levels throughout the day.
Recognizing Symptoms of Common Refractive Errors
As a teacher, you’re often the first to spot the early stages of pediatric vision problems and alert parents.
Familiarize yourself with common symptoms so you know what to look for:
- Nearsightedness often causes squinting and headaches. Children will also sit close to screens or boards.
- Farsightedness can cause eye strain, blinking, and difficulty reading. Plus, students might hold reading material at arm’s length when affected.
Prioritize Vision Health With Vision Care Direct
Prioritize vision health this school year by limiting screen time for kids, creating comfortable lighting conditions, and looking into vision screening in schools if your district doesn’t offer this service.
If you suspect a student suffers from an undiagnosed refractive error, speak with their parents. You can then recommend an affordable, patient-centered vision plan like Vision Care Direct as a next step.
Besides making annual exams accessible and affordable, our plans include in-network savings on products like polycarbonate (shatter-proof) lenses for kids, contacts, and more.
Learn more about our vision care plans and the many benefits of annual eye exams.
Summary
Supporting student eye health in your classroom doesn’t have to be complex. Find out about the strategies you can use to promote vision health, such as ergonomic classroom design, proper lighting, and healthy screen habits.
