WORDS João Albano
Since the COVID-19 lockdowns, there has been a dramatic rise in time spent on digital devices, particularly among children in their new learning environment. For example, we regularly hear from parents of primary school children that they spend five to eight hours on digital devices every day. This translates to 35 to 40 hours per week, which is the same amount of time an adult spends in a full-time job.
Symptoms to look out for
Some children experience increased blur at a distance due to myopia. These visual changes usually require a stronger prescription for their glasses. Some children experience blurred near vision, headaches, eye fatigue – and difficulty with visual efficiency involving eye teaming – focusing and tracking skills. A smaller group develop more serious vision disorders, such as a turned eye.
The effects of excessive screen time
The problem with excessive screen time is that it causes something called near point visual stress. This condition is the visual system’s response when looking at something nearby for long periods. As a result, this stress causes a mismatch between the eye teaming and eye focusing systems. Thus, a child may begin to see things out of focus or experience double vision while reading. These vision problems can also lead to behavioural and emotional issues, causing anxiety, reduced self-esteem, and even depression. Another secondary effect is reduced attention and concentration in activities related to reading.
When is the time to make an appointment?
Parents must take their children to the optometrist when they notice mild symptoms. The optometrist can assess the situation and prescribe lenses to alleviate eye stress, usually with a C-blue filter, which can reduce light from the digital screen and help lessen the impact of visual stress. When lenses are not enough, and the child has worsening problems such as blurriness, double vision at close range, headaches due to eye strain, lack of attention and concentration, or a turned eye, the optometrist may recommend vision therapy.
We are in the era of digital expansion, and there are risks to children’s visual development. With appropriate measures, together we can find solutions to end this problem that affects so many children because life demands vision!
João Albano is the director of Algarvisão – Advanced Eye Care. Orthoptics BSc (Hons) PGDip (Optometry), MBA
