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MIRI SCHROETER AND KAROLINE TUCKEY

Last updated17:56, June 11 2017

Warwick Smith

Accountancy student Megan Hislop, 19, was suffering headaches and fatigue from long hours studying, but found a big improvement after getting glasses especially for monitor use.

Almost 50 per cent of a group of 70 Massey Universitystudents were found to have eyesight problems, according to a study.

The EssilorVisionFoundation, a charity that tests students' eyesight nationwide, found that45 per cent of those in the study had previously undiagnosed eye issues.

VisiqueEye Spy optometristMaileTarsau, whocarriedout the free checks at Massey, said daily use of digital devices contributed to the problem.

Warwick Smith

An optometrist firm did free tests of students eyesight on Massey campus. Megan Hislop (pictured), who did the free test and was found to have eye issues as a result of lots of device use.

"Alot of [students'] work can be based online these daysand then they are online on their social media every day."

Many students spent up to 12 hours a day looking at screens without realising that it affected their eyes, Tarsau said.

"Commonly people come in saying they've got headaches, or it takes a little while for their eyes to focus, delayed focus, sometimes their eyes are watery, gritty or scratchy, or even itchy.

"People don't always put two and two together, that it might be related to their eyes.They know they've been under the pump and stressedand think they are just tired."

Massey accounting studentMegan Hislop, 19, realised after taking part in the study that her tiredness was partially a result of using a computer every day.

"I didn't really think it was anything at the time, but when looking at screens I found it took longer to focus.

"Some days I got headaches from it, because I'd been straining my eyes so much."

Hislop has been using glasses for about three weeks and has noticed that her eyes don't feel as tired.

"It's a huge advantage.I can process information faster."

Previous studies on primary school children showed that30 per cent of low decile school pupilshad eyesight issues, Tarsau said.

Ongoing use of digital devices throughoutschooling and then at university contributed to the problem, she said.

Massey University education lecturerJulia Buddsaid uncorrected vision could affect behaviour and learning.

Budd was currentlycompleting a studyto see what the affects are and whatimprovementscould be made, such as providing regular testing for childrensimilar to dental checks theyreceivedduringtheir schooling.

Massey University associate professor Alison Kearney, who is working on the project with Budd, said it was estimated that up to 80 per cent of learning was done through visual means.

Shannon School principal Murray Powellsaid some pupils used devicesup to 80 per cent of the day at school.

Because they used them heavily at school, Powell advised pupils to minimise screen time at home.

Awahou school principal Matt Schmidtsaid teachers tried to limit screen time and when the weather permits pupils were not allowed inside on devices.

They were encouraged to play outsideto limit screen time and to increasesocial interaction, Schmidt said.

-Stuff

Read more:
Almost 50 per cent of Massey University students in vision test have eyesight issues - Stuff.co.nz

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