The pandemic has affected most aspects of our daily life and school is not exempt. We are shifting to online learning, all to maintain social distancing. With this move toward online schooling, many have become more concerned about their kids’ eye health. Common questions about this include, “should my child’s gadget-use be timed? Will their vision worsen because of prolonged screen time? Will they start needing glasses? Will they go blind?”

It is a fact that there is a world-wide epidemic of myopia or nearsightedness, with up to 90 percent of Asian teenagers and adults affected. The rising prevalence of computer and gadget use is correlated to it, but is not the only reason for it. A study published in 2019 in the journal Ophthalmology (https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(17)33464-4/fulltext) showed evidence that at least part of the increase in worldwide nearsightedness has to do with near activities— these include not just prolonged screen time, but also reading actual books. The study followed school children aged 7-12 years old from 2009-2013 and found that kids who spent more time outdoors developed myopia slower than their counterparts who were either on their phones, reading books or attending “cram school” (tutored classes).

A meta-analysis was performed trying to find an association between screen time and myopia (https://doi.org/10.1111/opo.12657), but the jury is still out. While the definite link between the two is still being researched, at the very least, increased gadget use causes eye strain for both kids and adults. As was previously mentioned in this space (Lockdown Eye Woes, 31 May 2020), digital eye strain can cause dryness, headaches and blurred vision. These are temporary but can persist especially with prolonged screen time. How can we help our kids?

Just because we’re shifting to online schooling doesn’t mean the kids should be on their computers the whole day. Set their screens about two feet from their faces. Parents, guardians and teachers are advised to make sure kids take breaks from their gadgets every 20 minutes and look out the window, or a distance of 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds. For kids playing computer games, moms can set a timer to remind them to blink or look up and away from their phones at least three times an hour.

If eye strain symptoms or blurred vision persist, consult your ophthalmologist online today.