Screen Time Leads To Spectacles Time

An increasing number of children in the country, some as young as three years old, are now wearing glasses as a result of lifestyle changes, with extended use of digital devices posing an additional risk, say experts.

Paediatrics ophthalmologist and strabismus surgeon Dr Norazah Abdul Rahman expressed concern over the risks posed by the prolonged use of digital devices and mobile phones by young children.

“I receive a lot of children with abnormal blinking and eye rubbing. This is commonly due to dry eye, which can be treated with eye drops and limiting screen time,” she said when contacted yesterday.

f left untreated at an early stage, she said a child’s blurred vision could become permanent, resulting in myopia or near-sightedness.

Dr Norazah said recent lifestyle changes have resulted in children developing myopia at a much younger age.

“A decade ago, myopia would usually be seen among children aged between 10 and 15, but I am now seeing kids between three and four years old who need to wear corrective glasses,” she added.

She recommended parents impose screen time limits for their children, including using the “harmon distance”, the optimal distance during reading or other activities requiring visual focus.

“If possible, allow the child to spend a reasonable amount of time outside during the day doing other activities,” said Dr Norazah.

“Some countries, such as Australia and China, actually require parents to make sure that their child spends 120 minutes outdoors to prevent myopia,” she added.

On the dangers of exposure to higher-level ultraviolet (UV) radiation to a child’s eyesight, Dr Norazah said that this was not a major issue as most parents would not usually allow their children to be under the sun for hours.

Source: The Star