Protect your child from digital eye strain

Excessive use of digital devices can cause ophthalmic problems ranging from eye strain to myopia, especially in younger children – Aruna Raghuram Digital screen-based activities dominate the lives of 21st century children. Computers, smartphones, video games and television are taking precedence over playing outdoors, sleep and family time. Children who have barely completed toilet training are glued to tablets and smartphones for recreation if not learning.  It’s well known that excessive screen time can cause obesity, repetitive stress injuries, cognitive decline, aggression, social isolation, addiction and even depression in children. It can also majorly impact the visual health of children.  According to the American Optometric Association, the imprints on a computer or handheld device are not as sharply defined as print on paper because glare and reflections on the screen make viewing a strain. Moreover, viewing distances and angles tend to differ from normative non-digital reading and writing. That’s why, eye focus and movement requirements for digital viewing impose additional strain on visual systems.  A 2009 study ‘Impact of computer use on children’s vision’ published in a Greek journal Hippokratia highlighted that children are more susceptible to vision problems while using digital devices because they are less self-aware (they may forget to blink or take breaks), more adaptable (they are likely to ignore vision problems) and use adult computers which are not suitable for children.  Short-sightedness  During the past decade, ophthalmologists worldwide and in India, are reporting a sharp rise in the number of children diagnosed with myopia and short-sightedness. Parents should be especially alert and look out for the warning signs. Children suffering myopia are likely to insist on being seated in the front row of classrooms, complain of headaches, tired eyes, and tend to constantly rub their eyes.  Though genetics plays a big role in the development of myopia in childhood, research suggests that digital eye strain is also a major contributory factor. When children are using digital devices, their eyes have to exert effort to focus. Fatigue caused by excessive eye strain leads to changes within and prompt myopia. Comments Dr. Jameel Rizwana Hussaindeen, head of the vision therapy clinic, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai: “Overuse of digital devices strains eye muscles. This, in turn, can cause short-sightedness that is either temporary or can become permanent. Spectacles will restore vision, but if a child gets myopia at a young age, there is always the risk of progressive deterioration.”   Visakhapatnam-based retina specialist Dr. Divya Chandran warns that prolonged play of video games by children below ten years is more harmful to visual health than other screen-based activities. “As video games require high-speed and repetitive action, they cause greater visual strain than other digital devices. Since they require quick responses to speedy images, they overwork the dominant eye. This can cause refractive errors and also eyelid tics,” she says.    Computer vision syndrome  Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a group of vision-related ailments caused by continuous viewing of an electronic display screen. Poor lighting, glare from the screen, incorrect posture and…