With users spending an average of 26 minutes a day using the app, Dr. Mark Jacquot, Clinical Director, LensCrafters, explains, "people, and parents of young children and adolescents in particular, should be aware of their overall screen time. In order to continue enjoying the game while minimizing the impact of mobile phones on vision, be aware of how much time you or your children are spending in front of screens each day and take regular breaks using the 20-20-20 rule by taking a break every 20 minutes to look 20 feet away for about 20 seconds. Perhaps check out each PokeStop or Pokemon GO gym for a few minutes to give your eyes a break and take in some new scenery before continuing on in pursuit of a Dragonite."
Additional time spent outdoors playing Pokemon GO also means more opportunity for UV exposure, which is harmful for eyes just as it is for skin.
According to Jacquot, "while the sun can harm eyes of any age, children are more vulnerable to retinal damage from UV rays because their eyes are clearer and they tend to spend more time outdoors than adults. In fact, up to 80 percent of a person's lifetime exposure to UV radiation can occur by age 20, so it's important to start protecting children's eyes early to prevent long-term damage. Many UV-related eye problems don't develop instantly after exposure, but can lead to problems further down the road." As such, Dr. Jacquot recommends everyone wear protective sunglasses with UV400 protection or higher.
