The Impact of Screen Time on Children’s Eye Health: Tips and Recommendations for Parents

2023-10-05 13:15:41

Department of Medical Services by Metta Pracharak Hospital (Wat Rai Khing) is concerned about children’s eyesight from computers, tablets, and smartphones that play an increasingly important role in daily life. It is also popularly used as a medium to increase various skills for children. There are recommendations for using these devices so that children do not encounter problems that will follow, especially eye health problems such as headaches, eye pain, dry eyes, irritated eyes, blurred vision, and premature myopia. Including psychosocial conditions, lack of bonds between family members.

On October 5, 2023 Dr. Pairoj Surattanawanit, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Medical Services said that nowadays computers, tablets, and smartphones play a greater role in daily life. Many people may have experienced these symptoms, such as

Eye aches, dry eyes, tired eyes, eye pain, eye irritation, blurred vision, slower focus. Eyes can’t fight light, eye socket pain, headache.

Sometimes there is back pain, shoulder pain, or neck pain as well. and can affect sleep If you have the symptoms mentioned above combined with using the screen for a long time each day. and if the division of work time or online study time is inappropriate It will affect health. Especially the eyes that have to bear the burden of staring at a computer screen. or mobile phone screen for a long time Therefore it may be a problem for the eyes. Symptoms found from using these devices include headaches, eye pain, dry eyes, blurred vision. If any of these symptoms occur, you should see an ophthalmologist.

Dr. Arkhom Chaiweerawatana, Director of Metta Pracharak Hospital (Wat Rai Khing) Added: Children are an important target group because smartphones and tablets are not difficult to use and have attractive software to attract them. In addition, parents also like to use it as a medium to increase various skills for children or to keep children from disturbing them. They may lack knowledge of the harm that will follow, especially eye health problems. It is found that children often spend about 7 hours a day with entertainment media. On the other side of intelligence, emotional and social development, it is found that the use of media various activities for a long time, resulting in a decreased willingness to study at school Eating and sleeping habits are abnormal and obesity follows. Eye problems found from using these media devices include headaches, eye pain, dry eyes, blurred vision, and the risk of premature myopia.

Dr. Pantharaporn Tangthamrak Ophthalmologist He added that There is also blue light that is found from sunlight, mobile phones, tablets, or computers. Blue light scatters and causes discomfort to the eyes. It’s more difficult to sleep. Currently, there is no research supporting that. Blue light clearly causes eye disease. Therefore, light-blocking glasses Blue may be useful in terms of making images more comfortable for the eyes. There is a question about how much screen time a baby should spend per day. Ophthalmologists recommend that young children under 1 year of age should not spend any screen time at all. Children aged 1-2 years should spend only a small amount of screen time. And in the age of 3-4 years, screen time is not more than 1 hour per day. And over 5-13 years, screen time should not exceed 2 hours per day. For advice on taking care of your baby while using a screen:

Give your child a break when using screens using the 20-20-20 principle, taking a break from the screen every 20 minutes. Rest your eyes by looking at an object about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Adjust the lighting. Place the computer screen approximately 25 inches away. Adjust the screen intensity. The brightness is just right. Using artificial tears May be useful in cases where dry eyes are also present. You should see an ophthalmologist. If your baby blinks frequently, cannot see clearly, has squinted eyes, and has a headache.

This is for good physical health. Reduce the risk of nearsightedness And to achieve intellectual, mental, emotional, and social development, it is recommended that children have outdoor activities or read books. Importantly, children’s brains develop very quickly during the first 2-3 years of age, so children should learn better from interacting with their parents than on a computer screen. How to notice if a child under your care has symptoms such as: Children may complain of eye pain or burning, red eyes, or blinking frequently. Or rub your hands against your eyes. You should see an ophthalmologist immediately.

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