Digital Eye Strain in Kids

The use of smartphones and other devices with digital screens is becoming more prevalent than ever, especially with the effects of the pandemic. Since people haven’t been going out and socializing as much, these screens become the primary way to communicate, learn, and be entertained. This applies not only to adults but to children as well.

This prolonged exposure to phones, tablets, and laptops can cause what’s called digital eye strain. And the number of people experiencing symptoms, especially children, is increasing. It’s a cause for concern that parents shouldn’t ignore. At Eye Wares, we’ve shared the facts and the steps you can take to help your children avoid digital eye strain. Keep reading!

What Is Digital Eye Strain?

Most people will be familiar with eye strain, a common issue that happens when the eyes are tired. It’s usually caused by prolonged and intense use of the eyes, especially in situations like driving, studying, and reading.

On the other hand, digital eye strain results from prolonged staring at screens, whether it’s for online classes, entertainment, or social media use. It’s also called computer vision syndrome, and it has a set of symptoms that can be mildly irritating or downright concerning. The most common ones are:

  • Dry Eyes: Dry eye syndrome is an eye disorder in itself, but it’s usually associated with digital eye strain. When a person doesn’t blink for prolonged periods, the tear glands and eyelids aren’t able to moisten the cornea, resulting in irritation and a gritty feel.
  • Itchiness: This usually comes with dry eyes, and the itchiness happens on the eyelids and the base of the eyelashes.
  • Visual Abnormalities: The more serious symptoms of digital eye strain include blurred vision and double vision.
  • Headaches: Along with these visual problems are headaches. As the eye muscles contract for long periods of time, they tire and cause an aching sensation in the back of the eyes.

It’s estimated that more than half of working US citizens have experienced digital eye strain to some degree, but there are also statistics involving children that may be a bigger concern than initially anticipated.

The Concerning Data

Before the pandemic, children all over the world spent less than two hours in front of digital screens. However, the global health crisis lessened the outdoor time available for these kids, which doubled the screen time to almost four hours a day, especially in India and Hong Kong. In the US, data showed that children were spending 97 minutes a day on YouTube by March 2021 — double the number before the pandemic.

Thanks to this increase in screen time, there’s a concerning trend showing how more children are experiencing myopia and digital eye strain. In India, a survey revealed that 50% of children attending online classes were experiencing symptoms of digital eye strain, with itching and headaches the most prevalent.

The number of kids with dry eye syndrome is also increasing and those who spend more than 3.2 hours a day in front of smartphones are more likely to get it than those who spend 0.6 hours. In addition, children are experiencing dry eye symptoms at younger ages. A study has shown that 4% of those with the disorder are between ages 6 to 8.

What This Entails

The worrying trend of children with issues caused by digital eye strain points to a few things. First, there may be more children with digital eye strain than initially anticipated. Kids are less likely to report symptoms than adult patients who have the means to address the problem by themselves. This results in many undiagnosed cases.

Second, digital eye strain and dry eye syndrome are chronic conditions. They won’t go away on their own and may become a troublesome aspect of a child’s early years. And as the issues occur again and again, the symptoms may worsen and result in other serious eye issues.

Thanks to these two likely scenarios and the heightened prevalence of smartphones, there’s a very real possibility of the next generation growing up with chronic digital eye strain and dry eye disease. This future wave of issues will affect the next workforce and their quality of life.

Is Your Child Suffering from Digital Eye Strain?

Parents can look for signs if their child is suffering from digital eye strain and the beginnings of dry eye syndrome.  Here are a few behaviors you may observe:

  • Repeated blinking or rubbing eyes
  • Complaints of headaches
  • Red, itchy or irritated eyes
  • Squinting or holding items close to face
  • Short attention span or difficulty focusing
  • Tilting head or closing one eye to read
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Increased or decreased tear production

If you or your child are experiencing any of these symptoms, visit an experienced optometrist.  Annual eye exams are extremely important in adults and children, alike.  Early diagnosis and treatment for vision abnormalities is important to your overall health.

Back to School Eye Examinations

As kids head back to school hybrid classes, online classes, as well as the use of digital devices in the classroom is the new normal in education. It has become harder to lessen children’s screen time since facing one has become a necessity. However, there are a few ways parents can prevent digital eye strain and dry eye disease from happening in the first place.

The American Optometrist Association recommends a comprehensive eye exam as part of the back-to-school to-do list. It’s the best way to detect eye problems early on and take the necessary steps to treat or prevent them from worsening. School eye screenings are often not enough. The association recommends that parents turn to professionals for more accurate diagnoses and proactive solutions.

Vision disorders can be easily mistaken for learning or behavior disorders. There have been cases when children were incorrectly diagnosed for issues like ADHD and dyslexia. The real culprits were actually visual abnormalities and disorders. So, don’t skip annual eye exams. It’s important to proactively monitor and manage vision changes in your children.

Let Eye Experts Examine Your Child

When looking for eye experts who can evaluate your child’s vision and recommend treatments for issues, choose Eye Wares. Our experienced team of optometrists specialize in digital eye strain in adults and children, and our optometry practice has a full-service dry eye treatment center at our three locations: New Orleans, Mandeville, and Metairie. We are available for Saturday appointments and accept medical and vision insurance. Book an eye exam for your child today.