3 Eye Care Habits for Growing Kids in the Digital Age👀

In recent years, the Hong Kong Education Bureau has been actively promoting the “Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)” program, encouraging primary and secondary students to electronic devices such as iPads for learning and homework. As electronic devices have become more than just entertainment and are now part of everyday learning, how can parents protect their children’s eye health?

What Challenges Are Children’s Eyes Facing?

Kids’ eyes are still developing. Spending long hours looking at screens at a close distance can easily lead to eye strain, dryness, and discomfort, and may also contribute to worsening short-sightedness. In fact, short-sightedness is becoming more common at younger ages in Hong Kong. According to the Hong Kong Department of Health, about 18% of children aged 6 have short-sightedness. By 12 years old, it rises to about 62%!

Long exposure to blue light from screens before bedtime can also reduce melatonin production, which disrupts the body’s natural sleep cycle and affects sleep quality. Poor sleep can then impact energy levels, concentration, and learning performance the next day. When digital learning is now a part of daily life, it’s best to start from everyday habits to reduce the strain on kids’ eyes!

Build Healthy Eye Care Habits

– Follow the 20-20-20 Rule: For every 20 minutes of screen use, look at something about 20 ft. (about 6m) away for at least 20 seconds to relax strained eye muscles.

– Ensure there is sufficient ambient lighting. Avoid large contrast on brightness between the screen and the surrounding environment.

– Keep the screen at least 30 – 40cm away from the eyes, sit upright, and avoid using devices while lying down or leaning too close to the screen.

Create a Relaxing Eye Care Routine

Frankincense has a grounding woody aroma with earthy notes, making it ideal for relaxing before bedtime. Parents can place a few drops of Frankincense Essential Oil in their palms, rub to warm it up, then gently cup their hands over their child’s eyes (avoid direct contact with the eyes) and let them close their eyes and relax. You may also dilute Frankincense and gently massage around the eye area to help relieve eye strain from long screen time.

YL Tips: If essential oil accidentally gets into the eyes, do not rinse with water immediately! Use a clean cotton swab with a carrier oil such as V-6™ Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex to further dilute the oil, then rinse with water.

Support Eye Health Through Nutrition

Zeaxanthin is an important nutrient for the macula of the eye. It helps filter some blue light and UV light and help reduce eye muscle fatigue.

Chilli and bell pepper are relatively high in zeaxanthin, but kids generally can’t handle spicy foods and may not be willing to eat peppers every day. That’s why wolfberries are your best choice!

YL’s hero product NingXia Red contains whole, fresh Ningxia wolfberries and a variety of superfruits. It is a health drink providing rich nutrients that support eye health. Its sweet and slightly tart taste is also popular among kids, making it easier to include in their daily diet and provide a variety of nutritional support as they grow.

Protect Young Eyes Today for a Brighter Tomorrow

Digital devices are now part of children’s learning and development. Let’s help them build healthy eye care habits, together with relaxing routines and balanced diets, so that kids can enjoy learning while keeping bright, healthy vision!

This post is also available in: Chinese (Traditional)