Screen impact on the eye

In both children and adults, looking at gadget screens for long periods of time contribute to vision issues, writes Olivia Miwil

A child wearing spectacles at young age is not an uncommon sight these days. In fact, the number of children with refractive error has steadily increased since

television was introduced and the constant use of advanced gadgets today only compounds the problem. 

EYEING TROUBLE

Dr Sim Pek Eng , consultant ophtalmologist and refractive surgeon  at Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu hospital says the proximity to the screen and long hours of looking at the screen can cause refractive error over time.

Besides this attachment to gadgets, studies have revealed another cause for the increase in myopia or short-sightedness among children-the lack of exposure to sunlight. Interestingly, even this factor can be linked directly to our gadget-driven lifestyles. 

“Electronic gadget basically keep children confined indoors so they do not want to go out,” says Dr Lim. Several recent studies have found that young children who spend more time outdoors can lessen their chances of  wearing glasses.

A report published last year by College of Optometry of Ohio State University last year indicated the invisible ultraviolet B (UVB) rays and vitamin D, as well as visible bright light and dopamine, are contributing factors in reducing rates of myopia among children.

At a young age, a child's eyes are still growing and this rapid growth may cause the lens and retina to lengthen and lead to myopia. But researchers at the Ohio State University believe that the different lights can help preserve the proper shape and length of the eye during the growth phase of the organ.

EARLY DETECTION

However, Dr Sim says there is a more critical and time-sensitive matter for parents and caregivers of young children to look into.

It is important for such people to be observant on any refractive errors in young children before they reach 8 years old.

“If we pick up the errors when they are young and rectify their (vision) problems by providing glasses, surgery or removal of the cataract layer, lazy eyes can be avoided,” she explains.

Lazy eyes is a condition where vision does not develop properly in a child and if not treated early, may lead to permanent vision impairment. 

Dr Sim explains that during the first years of the human life, the connection of nerves between eyes and brain has not yet developed fully. So when a child's eyes cannot capture sharp images due to refractive errors, there will be no stimulus and the nerve pathway will fail to develop.

The Health Ministry has teams that regularly assess visual acuity among schoolchildren in national primary schools. However, parents themselves could also take initiative to get their children’s eyes screened.

SPOT THE SIGNS

Dr Sim says certain signs may indicate that a child has trouble seeing and these include sitting close to the television set, or squinting or squeezing their eyes while watching  the screen.

On the use of corrective glasses, she says initially children may initially refuse to wear them for fear of getting teased by their friends but they will eventually adjust to it when they come to realise that spectacles provide better and clearer vision.

Among adults, the negative effects of prolonged use of electronic gadgets is being reflected since many people today are having reading problem or presbyopia even before they reach 40.

In the past, most adults only started to depend on reading glasses around the age of 43.  

When we spend a long time peering at a screen, the eyes get tired easily. By looking at the screen, we also tend to blink less and this leads to dry eyes.

“As a result, the eye muscles which are supposed to be able to overcome early presbyopia cannot function as it should and reading glasses become inevitable."

Dr Sim adds that the use of filters on computers or wearing protective glasses during screen time will only provide temporary relief but has not been scientifically proven to prevent presbyopia. 

The same goes to artificial tears to moisturise the eyes.  “To date, there has yet any method to reverse presbyopia but reduce time spent at the screen helps in delaying the development of vision problems.”

She recommends a 20-second break for every 20 or 30 minutes of reading. During the break, one should lift the eyes off the screen or book and look as far away as possible to rest the eye muscles.