Excessive screen time causing eye disorders among children, youth

The excessive use of mobile phones is emerging as a serious public health concern, say ophthalmologists after noticing a sharp rise in eye disorders among the youth and even schoolchildren. Doctors warn that prolonged screen exposure is contributing to digital eye strain, increasing cases of myopia, and a noticeable surge in cylindrical power (astigmatism) among adolescents.

According Dr Sandeep Mahajan, a leading eye specialists and Chairman of SM Eye Hospital, Kangra, children and teenagers are spending several hours daily on smart phones for online classes, gaming, and social media. The habit of holding devices too close to the eyes and using them in dim light is placing additional stress on developing vision. Dr Mahajan has done more than one lakh different types of eye surgeries.

He says, “Cases of cylindrical power and early-age spectacle dependence have increased significantly over the past few years. We are seeing children as young as eight or nine years old requiring corrective lenses. Continuous focusing on near objects weakens eye muscles and accelerates refractive errors. Reduced blinking during prolonged screen viewing also leads to dry eye syndrome, causing redness, irritation, headache and blurred vision. Air-conditioned indoor environments further aggravate the condition.”

Dr Mahajan recommends following the 20-20-20 rule looking 20 feet away for 20 seconds after every 20 minutes of screen use along with ensuring proper lighting, maintaining adequate screen distance and encouraging at least one to two hours of outdoor play every day. Regular annual eye check-up is also advised.

He says that with digital devices becoming an integral part of modern life, awareness, discipline and preventive care are essential to protect the eyesight of the younger generation. He adds that the screen use has been linked to childhood obesity, which in turn is leading to serious health issues like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, experts are raising the alarm about another serious consequence of too much screen time. At a recent public awareness event in Nagpur, doctors at the Association of Community Ophthalmologists of India, said that if steps weren’t taken soon, up to 50 per cent of schoolchildren in India could have myopia by 2050.

Other health professionals are particularly concerned about the impact on younger children. Dr Arvind Sharma, a local pediatrician, advises that children below two years of age should not be exposed to screens at all, while older children should have strictly monitored and limited screen time. The lack of outdoor activities has also been linked to the rising incidence of near-sightedness worldwide.

“Parents are being urged to watch for warning signs such as squinting, frequent eye rubbing, headaches, holding books or phones too close and declining academic performance,” he asserts.