Does Screen Time Really Harm My Child’s Eyes?

It’s impossible to live in the current world without screens. These days, kids are constantly using technology, like computers, TVs, tablets, and smartphones. Parents often wonder if all of our kids’ computer time is bad for their eyes.

It’s convenient, educational, and fun but an important worry that should be looked into.

In a world full of screens, let’s get to the bottom of this issue, bust some myths, find some truths, and figure out how to keep our kids’ eyes healthy. An ophthalmologist in Singapore provides a parent’s guide to eye care.

How Does Screen Time Affect Children’s Eyes?

“Digital eye strain” could be the cause of your child’s headaches, tired eyes, or blurry vision after spending hours in front of a screen.

This condition happens when you look at screens for long amounts of time. It is also called computer vision syndrome.

Some signs are dry eyes, trouble focusing, sensitivity to light, and general tiredness. Long term, it’s not dangerous, but it can be painful.

The reason for this is that kids blink less when they are looking at a screen. It is important to blink because it keeps the eyes moist and stops them from getting dry.

On top of that, the muscles in your eyes work hard to focus on the screen, which can be hard when the text is small or the lighting is rough. This constant work can cause pain over time.

Let’s talk about blue light next. Blue light from screens has been linked to difficulty in sleeping. Even though there isn’t strong proof that blue light hurts eyes in the long term, it can definitely make it a challenge for them to sleep.

Is Myopia Related to Screens?

The link between computer time and myopia, or nearsightedness, is one of the main concerns of parents according to our ophthalmologist. For people with myopia, things far away look fuzzy while things close up look fine.

People all over the world are experiencing it more and more. Screens aren’t the only reason, but they can help it progress.

In children, studies show that doing close work for long amounts of time, like reading a book or staring at a screen, can trigger myopia.

To the contrary, doing things outside has been shown to lower the risk of getting myopia. You can relax your eyes and smooth out the effects of close-up focus by concentrating on things that are far away and using natural light.

It’s not just computers that are to blame for the rise in myopia cases, however, they have definitely added to the mix.

A Screen Alone Does Not Cause Permanent Damage

Just to put your mind at ease, there is no solid proof that screen time by itself causes long-term damage to the eyes.

Sure, screens can be painful and straining, and they may make vision worse, but they don’t hurt the structure of the eye directly.

Moderation and being aware are the keys. Having healthy screen habits can greatly reduce the risks that come with spending too much time in front of a screen. It’s not about banning screens completely, it’s about being smart about how you use them.

We’ve talked about the problems that could happen, so let’s talk about how to fix them. To keep your child’s eyes healthy while they still enjoy technology, here are some useful tips:

1. The 20-20-20 Rule: This rule will save your child’s eyes after a long day of screen time.  Have your kids look at something far away that is at least 20 feet for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes. It lets their eyes rest and eases the muscles that help them focus.
   
2. Limit Screen Time: Make rules for when your children can use screen time for fun. For kids ages 2 to 5, the American Academy of Pediatrics says they shouldn’t spend more than an hour a day in front of a screen. It’s important for older kids to find a mix between screen time and other things they enjoy, like exercise, family time, and playing outside.
   
3. Set up a Screen-free Bedtime Routine: Don’t use screens in bed and don’t use them at all an hour before bed. Kids are less likely to be exposed to blue light, which helps them relax naturally.
   
4. Promoting Outdoor Activities: Being outside is good for the eyes as well as the body. Outdoor activities help kids enjoy things at a distance and benefit from natural light, which can lower their risk of getting myopia.
   
5. Optimize Screen Settings: Check to see if the screens are too bright or too dark. You should change the size of the text and teach your kids how to hold the device far away from their eyes.
   
6. Check Lighting and Posture: Make sure the room is well-lit so there isn’t too much difference between the screen and the rest of the room. It’s more important than you might think for your child to sit up straight instead of slouching.
   
7. Schedule regular eye exams. The yearly pediatric eye check-ups with an ophthalmologist can help find problems early and give you good advice on how to keep your child’s eyes healthy.

Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Screen Time?

Balance is very important, but the answer will be different for each kid. They can be used to entertain, teach, and connect people.

Screens are great tools when they are used properly. You can get problems like tired eyes and bad sleep habits from using them too much, though.

Create clear rules about how to use screens to begin. Maybe only play games on the weekends or only use teaching apps at certain times of the day. It’s important to make activities that don’t involve screens a focus.

Board games, arts and crafts, sports, and simple outdoor games can be great ways to keep kids busy without gadgets. Rather than avoiding computers, our ophthalmologist recommends maintaining a positive relationship with them.

As parents, you can show your kids how to behave by limiting the time you spend on screens and making family time a priority. Show your kids that there are other things to do besides staring at computers.

Help them find new hobbies, take part in the world around them, and try new things. The use of technology will only grow as time goes on.

You can help your child form good habits that will last a lifetime by giving them the tools and information they need to optimize screen usage.

Wrapping It Up

So, does your child’s time in front of a screen really hurt their eyes? That’s not quite. Because screens aren’t directly harmful to the eyes, they can make them hurt temporarily and make some vision problems worse over time. For best results, use them carefully, do a variety of activities, and take care of your eyes regularly.

Remember that being a parent in the digital age means finding the right balance between letting our kids use technology and keeping them safe.

But if you notice signs of pain or think your child may already have an eye problem, like frequent reports of blurry vision, trouble focusing, or other strange symptoms, you should see an ophthalmologist right away.

You can help your child get the care they need by seeking advice promptly from a certified ophthalmologist.

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Chelvin Sng Eye Centre – Dr Chelvin Sng
 
38 Irrawaddy Road
Mt Elizabeth Novena Specialty Centre #06-25
Singapore 329563
 
https://www.drchelvinsng.com/
 
Tel: +65  6334 2282
Whatsapp: +65 8129 6328