Does watching TV cause eye strain in children? In this blog, we will discuss the possible impact of excessive screen time on children’s eyes, along with tips to prevent eye discomfort.
TVs, laptops, computers, tablets, and mobile phone screens have become a part of our everyday lives. No doubt, this digitalisation has made our lives significantly easier. However, it’s important to note the potential harm that increasing screen time can have on your little ones’ eyes.
Let us start by stating that simply watching TV or using digital screens won’t typically lead to vision damage. It can, however, cause discomfort, eye strain, fatigue, and short-term changes in visual clarity. Not many notice these symptoms until they start significantly affecting everyday activities; children, especially, may not be able to accurately identify or communicate their symptoms. This is why it’s important to be aware of the possible side effects of too much screen time for children, so you can ensure healthy and comfortable vision for them.
Why Does Excessive Screen Time Lead to Eye Strain?
Ever wondered why only digital screen time causes eye strain and not other activities that you may spend hours doing? This is because focusing on digital screens demands the involvement of more eye muscles. Unlike printed text, digital screens tend to change lighting and brightness, causing your eyes to constantly refocus, thus causing fatigue and strain.
Some other major reasons include:
- Continuous focusing without breaks, at one fixed distance
- Involuntary reduction in blinking while looking at screens
- Exposure to constant bright light
- Switching between tasks and digital screens
Common Eye Strain Symptoms in Kids
Some common eye strain symptoms in children include:
- Sensitivity to bright lights may increase
- Tear film may start evaporating quickly, leading to dryness
- Eyes may feel fatigued as eye muscles remain engaged for long stretches of time
- Eyes feel tired or heavy
- Slight irritation or burning sensation due to dryness
- Headaches after extended screen use
- Temporarily blurred or hazy vision right after screen use
These symptoms are generally short-lived and dissipate after a few hours of rest. If ignored, your productivity and daily comfort may be impacted. However, if the symptoms persist and are accompanied by pain, redness, or extreme discomfort, a visit with an eye doctor must be scheduled.
Why is Excessive Eye Strain Harmful for Kids?
People of all ages are prone to eye strain, but why is it particularly harmful for children? This is because:
- Their eyes are still in the development stage.
- Children may use screens for hours on end, without understanding the importance of regular breaks, as compared to adults. This may cause discomfort, albeit temporary.
- As a result of excessive screen time, outdoor activities (crucial for the healthy development of their eyes) are neglected.
While not directly linked, excessive screen time has been indirectly associated with an increased risk of myopia in kids.
Signs to Look Out For
Since children may not always be able to identify their symptoms and communicate them to you, here are some important signs you need to keep an eye out for:
- Excessive eye rubbing
- Sitting too close to the TV, computer, or laptop screens for prolonged periods may be a sign of temporary blurred vision
- Reduced outdoor activity
- Complaints of blurred vision and headaches (but no changes detected in eye power upon checkup)
Tips to Reduce Eye Strain in Children
Here are some useful tips every parent can follow to ensure comfortable vision for their children:
- Encourage kids to follow the 20-20-20 rule: If digital screens play a crucial role in your children’s everyday lives for studying, work, projects, etc., make sure you inculcate the habit of following the 20-20-20 rule in your little ones. What is the 20-20-20 rule? Take a break from digital screens for 20 seconds to look at something 20 feet away – repeat this every 20 minutes.
- Encourage outdoor play: You can encourage your children to spend less leisure time looking at videos or playing video games on their mobile phones and go outside to play instead. Approximately 2 hours of outdoor play every day will help their developing eyes get some much-needed natural light, which is good for their developing eyes.
| 2 hours of outdoor play is NOT a universal minimum or a guarantee of healthy vision. It is a general recommendation by eye care professionals. |
- Prioritise regular breaks: Besides the 20-second breaks in the 20-20-20 rule, longer breaks at regular intervals should also be encouraged. If your children are studying for an important exam or working on a deadline project, they may tend to forget to take breaks. You can ask them to take a break for a short walk outside, to go to the market, for meals, or simply just for the sake of giving their eyes some much-needed rest. Not only will this relax their eye muscles, but when they get back to their tasks, their focusing ability will also feel enhanced.
- Adjust brightness: You can adjust the brightness on your children’s digital devices to a less harsh level. Alternatively, you can turn on blue light filters or ‘eye comfort’ mode on the device to safeguard their eyes.
- Position screens at a safe distance: Position screens at a safe (one arm’s length) distance to prevent harsh light and glare.
- Frequent blinking: You can remind your children to consciously blink, as they may forget to blink for long stretches while binge-watching their favourite cartoons. This is advised because frequent blinking helps restore and maintain ample natural moisture in their eyes.
We hope this blog has helped you understand eye strain in kids, common symptoms, why it’s especially harmful for children, and safe digital screen practices.
It’s important to remember: digital screen use may not always lead to discomfort and eye strain, but prolonged use or excessive screen time can. So, prioritise outdoor play over screen time for your children!
If symptoms still persist after breaks from screens, a consultation with a paediatric eye doctor may help resolve visual discomfort for your little ones.
