Introduction
This is a difficult period because of the constant quarantine confinement.
During this period and afterwards, after it became a habit, children were exposed to screens (tablets, mobile phones, computers) much longer than they should have been, resulting in a significant impact on their eye health.
The following article will help us to understand the risk to children's vision due to this high exposure to screens, which unfortunately continues even after the quarantine is lifted, and what parents should do to encourage their children to switch to other habits.
Eye problems caused by excessive exposure time to screens
Many parents ask whether exposure to screens can seriously damage children's eyes. So here are some ways (some expected, some surprising) how screen exposure time can affect children's eyes:
The first problem is that prolonged exposure to screens, even now that the quarantine has ended, keeps children indoors. Exposure to natural daylight is important for eye development, children need time to play outside for their health, but also for their eyes, especially now after so many months of confinement.
Studies have shown that children who spend more time indoors are more likely to develop myopia. The exact cause is not yet known, but researchers believe that ultraviolet light (provided the eyes are protected from bright sunlight) plays an important role in proper eye development. The rate of myopia in children has increased dramatically over the last 30 years.
The second problem comes from the intensity with which children focus on the screens. The eyes need breaks from the close focus and children can lose track of time when they become absorbed in them.
Eyes get tired during prolonged fixation on screens, especially when the lighting around the screen causes blurring and extra pressure on the eyes.
Long exposure to screens also causes dryness and irritation to the eyes. Studies show that people of all ages blink much less when they focus on a screen, which causes dry eyes. A clear and stable film of tears on the surface of the eye is essential for clear vision. The problem can be worse in children who focus on screens set up for adult use.
When children's eyes focus at close range for a long time, they may also have difficulty adjusting their distance vision. This is generally a short-term problem and the eyes gain adaptability within a few hours or at most a few days.
Another problem caused by prolonged exposure to screens in children is its effect on sleep. Research shows that blue light from computer screens and devices, when used at night, alters the brain's sleep patterns. The brain reads the screen light as «morning» and affects the body's circadian rhythm (Circadian rhythm is any biological process that exhibits endogenous periodic variation over a 24-hour period). The exciting content of many video games and movies can also rouse a child when they need to wind down for bedtime.
Set clear limits on screen time
There are articles and studies that examine whether prolonged screen time makes children unhappy, look at the impact on mental health and offer advice on setting limits, which we list here:
- Set a limit on their daily exposure to screens. Make it clear to your children and stick to it.
- Encourage your child to spend some of this free time outside while it's still daytime.
- Set limits: no smartphone use for anyone in the family in the car, at restaurants or at the family dinner table.
- No use of screens in the bedroom when it is bedtime. No exceptions.
- Show your children, by your own behaviour, how to live a rich, varied and healthy life, where all habits are practised in moderation.
Help your children develop good habits
Teach your children the 20-20-20 rule when using a computer or other electronic device. Every 20 minutes, look away from the screen for 20 seconds and focus on something at least 20 metres away. This is a good practice that adults should follow as well. A timer can help your child remember this, or install a software program that turns off the screen automatically at set times.
Make sure the screen is positioned so that your child is looking slightly downwards and not upwards. And adjust the lighting to eliminate bright light on the screen.
Check your children's eyes
Have regular eye exams as part of your children's health care plan. You may be able to tell if your children's eyes are tired or irritated, but it's hard to tell if they are developing a vision problem. Only a comprehensive eye exam, by your eye doctor, can reliably tell you that.
