By Maryanne Kocis MacLeod
For the Daily Tribune
From 3-D imaging to smart boards and state-of-the-art computer applications, classrooms around the nation are becoming increasingly high-tech. While this technology appears to have a significant, positive effect on learning, exposure also increases the importance of proper vision care.
A survey by the American Optometric Association found that parents are concerned about the effect of all this technology on children. Fifty-three percent of respondents with children 18 or younger believe 3-D viewing is harmful to a child's vision or eye health, and 29 percent of parents feel very concerned that their child may experience permanent damage as a result of prolonged use of computers or hand-held electronic devices.
"Today's classroom technology is extremely visual, making it critical for students to maintain excellent eye health," said Dr. Peter Agnone, a practicing optometrist at Grand Blanc Eyes and a member of the Michigan Optometric Association.
"Binocular vision, focusing abilities, as well as nearsightedness and farsightedness should be checked by an eye doctor yearly."
According to Dr. John Roarty, chief of Ophthalmology at DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan, potential classroom technology risks fall into three categories:
Close-up use of computers and iPads.
Technology at a distance, such as the use of SMART Boards and other interactive whiteboards
3-D televisions and films.
That said, close-up computer use presents the same risks for children as adults, Roarty said.
"Certainly, we all experience increased eyestrain as a result of intense, near-focus, whether we are reading a book for a long period of time, or using a computer," said Roarty, who has offices in Clinton Township. "Up-close work that exceeds several hours — including texting, playing a hand-held video game, using a computer or reading a book — all contribute to increased eyestrain."
For the Daily Tribune
From 3-D imaging to smart boards and state-of-the-art computer applications, classrooms around the nation are becoming increasingly high-tech. While this technology appears to have a significant, positive effect on learning, exposure also increases the importance of proper vision care.
A survey by the American Optometric Association found that parents are concerned about the effect of all this technology on children. Fifty-three percent of respondents with children 18 or younger believe 3-D viewing is harmful to a child's vision or eye health, and 29 percent of parents feel very concerned that their child may experience permanent damage as a result of prolonged use of computers or hand-held electronic devices.
"Today's classroom technology is extremely visual, making it critical for students to maintain excellent eye health," said Dr. Peter Agnone, a practicing optometrist at Grand Blanc Eyes and a member of the Michigan Optometric Association.
"Binocular vision, focusing abilities, as well as nearsightedness and farsightedness should be checked by an eye doctor yearly."
According to Dr. John Roarty, chief of Ophthalmology at DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan, potential classroom technology risks fall into three categories:
Close-up use of computers and iPads.
Technology at a distance, such as the use of SMART Boards and other interactive whiteboards
3-D televisions and films.
That said, close-up computer use presents the same risks for children as adults, Roarty said.
"Certainly, we all experience increased eyestrain as a result of intense, near-focus, whether we are reading a book for a long period of time, or using a computer," said Roarty, who has offices in Clinton Township. "Up-close work that exceeds several hours — including texting, playing a hand-held video game, using a computer or reading a book — all contribute to increased eyestrain."
If the vision in one eye should be lost later in life from an accident or illness, it is essential that the other eye have normal vision. Without normal vision in at least one eye, a person is visually impaired.Post eye surgery care tips
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