Children's vision and gadgets: myths and safety rules

It is impossible to forbid a child to use a phone and a computer, because it has a bad effect on his health. And do gadgets really have such a negative effect on a child's vision? Olena Varga, a doctor at the Excimer Center, an ophthalmologist of the highest category, and a member of the Association of Pediatric Ophthalmologists of Ukraine, shared her expert opinion.

Olena Varga

Leading specialist of the children's department of the Excimer center, doctor of the highest category, member of the Association of Pediatric Ophthalmologists of Ukraine, specialist in orthokeratological treatment.

It is difficult to imagine modern life without smartphones, tablets, and laptops. They are not only a source of entertainment and communication, but also learning. Electronic textbooks, test tasks, homework, online lessons - all this involves the use of gadgets. Another question is how much time a child spends online, how old he is, and whether the computer has replaced his whole world. 

The main thing is to be able to keep a balance and know the basic rules of safe interaction with digital devices. And finally get rid of the prejudice that a phone or computer will necessarily lead to poor eyesight. So, let's refute the most common myths. 

Myth 1. Gadgets are to blame for children's myopia

In fact, the device itself does not cause vision impairment. If used excessively, it can trigger other negative effects on the eyes:

• dryness, itching, redness;
• in that;
• deterioration of the retina.

Why do ophthalmologists prohibit or strictly regulate the time and conditions of using gadgets? The thing is that children have weak, not fully developed connective tissue of the eye, which is responsible for the shape of the eyeball. When interacting with the screen, the intraocular muscles in them become overstrained, which ensure focusing at a certain distance. Kids up to 5-6 years old are mostly farsighted, so in order to focus their vision at a close distance, they have to make considerable efforts. Keep in mind that the eye does not move, it tenses, which increases intraocular pressure. Under its influence, the eyeball stretches, and over time myopia develops.

So, what is not critical for adults has a significant negative impact on children.

Myth 2. The big screen will save the day

Of course, the smaller the details, the more effort it takes to see them, and here the size of the screen matters. However, this only applies to children who already have vision problems. You just need to compensate for the minus (myopia) or plus (farsightedness) with glasses / lenses so that your eyes do not strain again.

On the other hand, the size of the monitor can play a positive role in maintaining a safe distance. So, it is better to run cartoons or educational videos on the TV screen, and sit the child at a distance of 3-4 meters (depending on the diagonal). This way, the intraocular muscles will be less strained, and the eyes will get tired. 

Child's vision: truth and myths. Source: freepik

In this regard, phones, tablets, and even laptops lose out, because they all offer a short distance - arm's length. Computers, thanks to their stand-alone keyboard, allow you to move the monitor further away from your face. In extreme cases, you can buy a separate keyboard for the laptop so that the child can study without harming their eyes.

Myth 3. Radiation damages the retina

The point is not in the radiation, because modern gadgets are made using safe technologies that create a minimal electromagnetic field, but in the light. The screens of digital devices emit blue light, which affects photoreceptors, which can affect the retina over time. 

So when buying a gadget, pay attention to whether it has a special filter. By the way, ophthalmologists recommend that adults who work at a computer all day wear protective glasses. And remember: you can't use your phone or laptop 2 hours before bedtime - the blue light from the screen prevents the production of melatonin, which is responsible for falling asleep and restoring the body.

Safety rules

We have already understood that to preserve a child's vision, we need to ensure an appropriate distance from the screen and control the time they spend on gadgets. 

So how much can you interact with digital devices without damaging your eyes?

Allowed time depending on age:

• Ophthalmologists do not recommend giving children under 3-4 years old smartphones or tablets. They can watch TV for a maximum of 5-10 minutes;
• Preschoolers are allowed to play on the computer for no more than half an hour a day;
• 7-10 years old – 15 minutes of working with a gadget during 1 lesson during study;
• 11-12 years old – 20 minutes respectively;
• 13-14 years old – 25 minutes.

Every half hour, you should give your eyes a 15-minute break. At this time, to relax the intraocular muscles, it is better to look into the distance. There is a golden rule of ophthalmologists 20/20/20: after 20 minutes of working with gadgets, you should rest for 20 seconds, in particular, focus on an object located at a distance of 6 meters (20 feet).

Child's vision: safety rules. Source: freepik

Safe distance from the screen – 50-80 cm depending on the diagonal. Therefore, smartphone stands, tablet stand covers, and additional keyboards for laptops come in handy.

Let's take into account 7 more recommendations from an ophthalmologist!

Warm-up during breaks. To keep the vascular system working well, prevent muscle spasms, and keep the back straight, encourage your child to move. The ideal option is a 2-hour walk in the fresh air (there is research that this can prevent the development of myopia). By the way, active outdoor games, such as tennis and badminton, are excellent for training accommodation: the eye follows the ball, focusing on different distances. 

Mandatory vision correction glasses or lenses to reduce the tension of accommodation. The idea that glasses cause the eyes to stop seeing well on their own is a very harmful myth.

Good lighting. To prevent eye strain, don't let your child play with their smartphone in the dark. Even during power outages, provide additional lighting with an LED lamp for studying on a laptop or other gadget. Remember that warm light is good for relaxation, while cold light activates the eyes.

How to save your child's eyesight. Source: freepik

Ban read, watch or play on a smartphone in transport or lying down. While driving, it is difficult for the eye to focus on the image, so the intraocular muscles quickly get tired. And in bed with the phone, the chest is compressed and blood circulation is disturbed, in addition, the safe angle of inclination increases (it should be 45 degrees) and the eye muscles are subjected to additional stress.

Moisturizing drops. When we look at the screen and concentrate on the plot of a movie or read, we stop blinking our eyes. This leads to the drying of the tear film, which has protective moisturizing functions. As a result, complaints of dryness, itching, redness of the eyes and even blurred images appear. Therefore, use moisturizing drops for children prescribed by a doctor.

Professional reviews! All ophthalmologists say this at every consultation. Annual examinations allow you to detect vision impairment (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism) and other problems (strabismus, amblyopia, asthenopia, dry eye syndrome) and take timely measures. This may include prescribing glasses or lenses, including night lenses, hardware treatment, selection of moisturizing drops, vitamin preparations, and even recommendations for physical activity. The specialist will also remind you of the safety rules for handling gadgets.