(or How to Protect Your Teen’s Eyesight (Without Them Noticing) – Stealth tactics for parents of GCSE and A-Level warriors)
Ah, exam season in St Albans. The scent of blossom in the air, birds singing merrily — and inside every home, a teenager buried under revision notes, blue light blazing from screens, and an expression that suggests they’ve just been asked to do something outrageous like… open a window. We’ve been there.
Yes, it’s that magical time of year (we write from experience) when teens swap natural daylight for the glow of Google Docs, and parents everywhere start sentences with “Shouldn’t you be revising?” only to be met with a heavy sigh and an exaggerated eye-roll. Which, ironically, is the most exercise their eyes are getting.
So, how do we help our nearly-adults look after their eyes during the exam onslaught — without being accused of ruining their life again?
1. Operation: Stealth Hydration
You know the drill: “Drink more water” gets the same reaction as “Let’s go for a family walk.” But pop a nice cold bottle of water (bonus points for trendy branding or a slice of cucumber if you’re feeling fancy) near their revision station, and they might just drink it. Hydration is key to reducing eye strain — but they don’t need to know that came from you.
2. The 20-20-20 Rule (That You Definitely Didn’t Hear from Mum)
Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Or in their terms, 6.1m away which is about the width of a badminton net. It’s a simple way to prevent digital eye strain, but good luck getting your teen to do it on purpose. Instead, try strategically walking past and casually saying, “Hey, look at that fox in the garden!” even if it’s just next door’s tabby cat doing yoga on the fence.
3. Lighting: More Glow, Less Gloom
You could explain the importance of good lighting for eye comfort… or you could just upgrade their desk lamp and quietly open the curtains when they’re not looking. If questioned, you’re making their life easier for them whilst opening the window at the same time.
4. Screens, Screens, Everywhere
It’s not just the laptop — there’s the phone, the tablet, possibly a smartwatch, and a sneaky episode of something on the side. Encourage regular screen breaks by offering snacks (the universal teen lure), and if all else fails, suffer a mysterious WiFi outage. This is a high risk method – we’re not taking any responsibility for the fall out.
5. Blue Light Glasses: The Fashion Angle
Convince them it’s a TikTok trend. Enough said. But get them from us because our blue light coatings actually work. Properly.
6. Eye Tests: Now With Bribery
If it’s been a while since your teen’s last eye test, now’s a great time to book one — you know, just to “rule things out.” Tempt them with a post-test treat from Fade to Black. It’s amazing what they’ll agree to if snacks are involved.
Final Word From the Opticians (A.K.A. The Real Experts)
Our team at EYES on St Albans are always here to help keep your young scholars seeing clearly — through revision season and beyond. We can spot signs of eye strain and offer practical tips (or whisper them to you so you can take the credit).
So, hang in there – we’re here if you need to schedule a ‘very important eye examination’ to get out the house. Exam season doesn’t last forever, and one day your teen will thank you for all those silent efforts. Probably not today. But one day.
EYES on St Albans Rugby Club
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