Extensive use of electronic devices by children up to 12 years of age can increase the risk of vision problems, such as:
Physiological myopia – increased adaptive myopia of the eye.
Binocular anomalies – problems related to the full simultaneous use of both eyes.
Photophobia – increased sensitivity to light.
Cone Stresses – stress on the macular cells caused by excessive focusing.
Astigmatism – the development of low-degree astigmatism.
Eye twitching – involuntary twitching of the eyelids.
Dry eye – dryness of the anterior segment of the eye due to excessive exposure.
Eye irritation – red eyes (hyperemic).
Headaches – Many types of headaches are caused by excessive close-up work.
When conducting a visual assessment of a young person and identifying a problem, the optometrist has at their disposal not only means of compensation and optical correction, such as:
Eyeglasses, Contact Lenses, and Visual Therapy
But they can also offer advice and help correct certain habits, such as:
Glare reduction – glare from flat surfaces and computer screens can cause significant eye strain. The screen’s brightness should be minimized.
Replacing old monitors with new LCD and LED models —the new monitors cause less eye strain, in part because they come equipped with anti-glare coatings and offer higher image resolution.
Monitor settings – New monitors allow for various adjustments in terms of size, resolution, contrast, and color. Customize these settings to ensure the screen background has the right balance and adjust the font size to suit your working distance.
Blink more often – blinking is a good remedy for eye strain; every time we blink, we not only refresh the tear film on the surface of the eye but also allow the cells of the retina to recover from the constant strain of focusing.
Breaks – As I mentioned earlier, spending long periods of time in front of a computer is extremely harmful to your eyesight. It is therefore essential to take a break every half hour. These breaks are important for giving your eyes a rest, relaxing your neck, and moving your whole body.
The workstation – the computer used by the child should be placed on an ergonomic desk to ensure the best possible posture; the screen should be positioned slightly below eye level.
Appropriate eyewear – in addition to proper vision correction for near work, it is essential to use lenses with surface coatings designed for computer use; there are even certain types of tints that are better suited for use in front of screens.
Cleaning – It is essential to clean computer keyboards and mice, as they are prone to the accumulation of various microorganisms; when children touch their eyes with their hands, this can lead to eye infections.
Regular checkups – Children who spend many hours in front of a computer should have their eyes examined at least once a year.
In conclusion, the use of new technologies does not in itself pose a threat to children’s eyesight, provided that parents monitor visual hygiene and the amount of time spent using these technologies.
