Kids today are either seen watching or reading from computers, tablets or are holding smartphones in their hands for games and entertainment. With the immense study load and the continuous use of technology, kids feel stressed, which in turn leads to strain on their tiny brains and eye problems in little kids. We are seeing an increasing number of kids needing big glasses than ever before and at earlier ages, because they suffer from visual problems. The ill-effects of smartphones and increasing education pressure is leading to an increasing number of kids needing prescription glasses at an early age. These glasses are needed for many types of eye-problems in kids such as :
Near and farsightedness:
Myopia or nearsightedness most often occurs in school-going children. In this, the distant vision is blurred. The prescription for glasses will indicate a minus sign before the power (for example, -2.00).
Hyperopia or far-sightedness is caused in children due to harmful rays from smartphone screens or sitting close to the television. A child may develop crossing of the eyes, blurred vision or discomfort,
Astigmatism:
This is usually caused by a disparity in the eye’s surface curve. Rather than being shaped like a perfect sphere (like a basketball), the eye is shaped with a greater curve in one axis (like a rugby ball). That makes fine details look blurred or distorted.
Anisometropia:
This issue causes children to be prescribed differently in each eye. This can create a condition called lazy eye, where vision does not normally develop in one eye.
Amblyopia:
Seen only in one percent of children, it is a failure of the eye to connect to the brain due to lack of use of one eye during infancy and childhood.
Parents can do the following things to keep their children away from developing the above problems:
- Remind kids to hold the device 18″ away. Adjust the brightness on the screen. Reading in good light and keeping the book at a minimum distance of 12 to 14 inches are basic requirements.
- Increase rest periods and emphasize on taking a break every 20 minutes. While taking breaks in between studies, the eyes need to be relaxed. Reading a comic book or playing on a computer or cell phone defeats this purpose
- Reading in good light and keeping the book at a minimum distance of 12 to 14 inches are basic requirements.
- Get outside and encourage them to play sports since it is one of the best ways to increase blood circulation to the eye and endpoint mobility.
- Filter out blue light on screens.
