Health & Wellness Child Developement

Can Too Much Screen Time Cause Eye Problems?

Potential eyesight deterioration due to prolonged staring at computer screens is no longer an issue faced only by students and working adults. With young children increasingly playing for hours on end with mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, this might grow to be a problem for them as well.

Dr Tay Su Ann, Consultant for the Paediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus Service at Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), a member of the SingHealth group, shares more about the negative effects these devices may have on a child’s eyesight if excessive use sets in.

Firstly, mobile device overuse can increase the risk of myopia. “Playing with handheld devices constitutes near work, which has been shown to be associated with myopia (commonly known as short-sightedness),” says Dr Tay.

Dr Tay adds, “Besides myopia, there are also less common eye conditions that may arise after a prolonged period of near work. These include convergence or accommodative insufficiency, in which the ability of the eyes to converge (turn inwards towards each other) or to focus well on near objects is impaired. This may cause symptoms like eye fatigue and sometimes even double vision.”

As a parent, barring your child from using mobile devices may not be the best or most practical approach. After all, your child will be exposed to these devices sooner or later. Here are some tips to encourage good eye health and moderate screen time usage:

The full article can be read here. Want smart children? Read on for tips.

Disclaimer: All HealthXchange articles are intended for general information only and provided on the understanding that no surgical and medical advice or recommendation is being rendered. Please do not disregard the professional advice of your physician.

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