More kids need glasses now, but real spike feared once schools reopen

Nagpur: Increased screen time, online schooling, assignments, and sedentary lifestyle have already started showing ill effects on kids. More than a year of online schooling has led to more eye problems in children, with a number of kids as young as 5 to 8 years of age requiring spectacles. Doctors said that when schools reopen, many more children will start realizing they have vision problems.
Paediatric ophthalmologist Dr Jyoti Acharya said she is seeing more kids needing glasses post the second wave. “Kids are requiring glasses at a younger age. Digital eye strain (DES) is one of the main reasons. The worrisome fact is that most kids can’t identify and tell anyone that they have vision problems,” she said, adding that it’s the responsibility of parents to identify vision problems in kids and bring them to doctor if necessary.
A study to determine prevalence, symptoms, frequency and associated risk factors of DES among children attending online classes during Covid-19 pandemic published earlier this year in the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology has alarming results. More than 50% children attending online classes suffered through DES.
“There is an increased prevalence of DES among children in Covid era. Parents should be considerate about duration, type and distance of digital device use to avoid DES symptoms in children,” the study concludes.
Dr Puja Bang, additional professor of ophthalmology at AIIMS Nagpur, said a large number of students are reaching AIIMS complaining of eye problems after the second wave. “Kids already having glasses are getting higher numbers, but also those who never had glasses are getting numbers,” she said. According to her, it’s difficult for kids getting glasses at early age to get rid of them later in life. “As a parent, I also understand that online schooling is unavoidable. So, we suggest to limit the screen time as much as possible, ensure proper rest to your eyes, and watch screen in best position and angle of viewing,” she said.
“Studies have shown that children’s screen time has nearly doubled during Covid-19 pandemic,” said Dr Gopal Arora, renowned ophthalmologist. “A general human being blinks eyelids 12 to 14 times in a minute. But, while using screen, this rate reduces to 5 to 7 times. While focusing on some pixels on small screens like mobile phone, eyes get strained. Eventually, it leads to kids requiring glasses at early age,” he added.
Ophthalmologist Dr Mrinal Phadke said school reopening is must for younger kids or they will suffer from pandemic of eye problems. “Kids between 4 to 8 years of age should not see screen for more than 2 hours. Unfortunately, no one can follow this in the online schooling format. One more year of online activity, and most kids will have glasses when schools reopen,” she said.
BOX
EYES ON THE FUTURE
Distance | Remind kids to hold the device (mobile/laptop) at least 18 inches away
Angle | Top of the monitor should be slightly lower than eye-level so the viewer is looking down at an angle of about 15 degrees
Breaks | Take at least a 20-second break every 20 minutes, and blink your eyes 20 times during this period
Light | Adjust the brightness on the screen, don’t let the source of light be a glare
Get outside | Sunlight, outdoor activity is must for eyes too