Digital screens have become a part of both our children's lives and their education. Ophthalmologist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özge Yabaş Kızıloğlu, who said that the decrease in the time children spend in open spaces, together with the increased screen time, puts them at risk for the onset and progression of myopia, pointed out that the increased screen time also paves the way for many problems from digital eye strain to strabismus. 

The Longer the Screen Time in Children, the More the Eye Problems!

Pointing out that the incidence of myopia, a refractive error that can cause serious eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma and retinal diseases, has increased dramatically in children in the last 30 years, Yeditepe University Hospitals Ophthalmologist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özge Yabaş Kızıloğlu said that the decrease in the time spent in open spaces and the prolongation of the time spent in front of the screen are among the most important factors in the emergence of this picture.

Yeditepe University Hospitals Ophthalmologist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özge Yabaş Kızıloğlu said that many recent studies with children aged 1-18 show that the time of digital screen use has increased due to the Covid-19 pandemic all over the world, and stated, “Increased screen time leads to a condition defined as digital eye strain, which refers to eye discomfort that occurs during or after screen use.”

Increased Screen Time Causes Early Onset of Myopia!

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yabaş Kızıloğlu said that this situation may cause eye problems as well as the progression of existing eye problems, and gave the following information on the subject:

“Refractive errors that existed before but did not cause any complaints may show themselves more easily due to increased screen time and lead to complaints. For example, while a child with hyperopia can tolerate it without complaint, looking at screens for extended periods of time may cause fatigue of the adaptation muscles that allow the eye to focus closely, and may cause symptoms such as eye strain, eye pain and headache in the child. Uninterrupted staring at the screens for a long time can also cause eye dryness, causing complaints such as stinging, burning, and the need to rub the eyes. Rubbing the eyes can cause astigmatism to appear or progress. However, there is an increased risk of myopia, especially since hand-held digital screens such as smartphones and tablets are viewed from very close distance (20-40 cm). It has also been reported that increased screen time may cause early onset of myopia.”

“Children Forget To Blink”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yabaş Kızıloğlu said that some studies have reported that there may be a relationship between the prolongation of screen time in children and the development of strabismus, and gave the following information about other possible risks: “Another condition associated with increased screen time is eye dryness. Blinking is a protective reflex that helps moisten the surface of the eye. Blinking can be "forgotten" when looking at the screen carefully for a long time, causing the tear film that protects the eye surface to evaporate and the surface of the eye to dry. Studies have shown that especially when playing digital games, the number of blinks decreases with increasing concentration and blinking is not done completely.”

How Much Screen Time Should Children Spend?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özge Yabaş Kızıloğlu pointed out that early onset of myopia will be triggered if screen time is not limited at incredibly young ages, although this situation negatively affects all individuals in childhood, and gave the following information about the risks that may arise:

“After the onset of myopia, it is a refractive error that gradually increases with the growth of the child. The age of onset of myopia is the most important determinant of severe myopia in advanced ages. High myopia increases the risk of many eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma and retinal detachment.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özge Yabaş Kızıloğlu pointed out that children's screen time should be strictly limited for this reason and said, “The generally recommended limits are as follows: Children under the age of 2 should have zero screen use, except for video calls with family members and friends. Children between the ages of 2-5 should have a maximum of 1 hour a day, and between the ages of 5-17, it should be a maximum of 2 hours a day excluding homework.

These Signs Indicate A Problem With The Child's Eyes!

Underlining that if complaints such as pain in the eyes, stinging and burning, frequent blinking, headache, redness of the eyes, blurred vision, and double vision occur, it is necessary to consult an ophthalmologist, Yeditepe University Hospital Ophthalmologist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özge Yabaş Kızıloğlu said, “However, even if children spend hours in front of the screen, they may not realize that their eyes are tired and may not express any complaints. For this reason, it is necessary to have regular eye checks even if there are no complaints.”

Parents Should Take Into Consideration These Suggestions!

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özge Yabaş Kızıloğlu said that digital screens are a part of our children's life and education, and although it cannot be avoided completely, the use of screens can be regulated within the framework of certain rules, and offered the following suggestions to parents:

“Parents should encourage at least 1-2 hours of outdoor time a day, as exposure to natural light benefits eye development. Scientific studies show that time spent outdoors provides protection against myopia. In addition, parents should create “screen-free” periods where their children will be away from screens for a certain period of time during the day. It is necessary to take frequent breaks from screen use and to use the total determined screen time by dividing it. Children should be reminded of blinking, as it is also especially important to blink frequently when using digital screens. The distance between us and the computer screen should be as long as our arm's length and the position of the screen should be slightly lower than the eye. If the child is wearing glasses, the anti-reflective coating of the glasses prevents reflection and glare and reduces eye strain. Artificial tear drops can be used in the presence of eye dryness symptoms.

Also, regular eye examinations should not be missed. In this way, it will be possible to minimize and treat the problems. Especially if children have increased their screen use during their free time during the summer vacation, we recommend that they have their eyes checked before the schools open.”