With online education being the new normal, screen time has increased manifold. Ramesh Pillai shares tips that can help reduce the burden on children’s eyes
While the answer to the most frequently asked question by parents on what is the maximum screen time for their children is “Minimum is the new Maximum”, in the sense, lesser the time a child spends on digital devices the better it is for their eyes. As per the ideal recommendation of screen time, children below two years should avoid any use of digital devices, as the eye is in the formative stage.
Children in the age group of two-five years, screen time of one hour or less per day should be allowed and children above five years should be allowed a recreational or enjoyment related screen time of two hours or less per day.
However, all this recommendation today is thrown out of the window as the educational system world over is opting for online education due to social and physical distancing the children have to maintain in order to avoid contracting the harmful COVID-19 disease. Also another risk the longer screen time entails is that of an increase in Myopia or Short Sightedness among children.
The symptoms are difficulty in reading the blackboard in the classroom from the backbench, squinting of eyes to see clearly, holding books close to face while reading or writing. The correction of Myopia is done through spectacles, contact lenses, and refractive surgery.
So how can one handle this onslaught of online education that is going to be the new normal? Well, as a starter one needs to ensure the following tips are practiced to avoid any type of eye strain.
Use the right power: If your child has been going too close to the screen or squinting the eyes for reading those small prints at a distance, then get his/her eyes tested and get the right power of eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Place it right: The viewing distance from the monitor to the eyes should be in the range of 40 - 75 cm and the top of the screen should be at the eye level so that a comfortable visual zone of 30° (15° above the line of sight and 15° below the line of sight) is achieved downward from the top of the monitor which is less fatiguing for the eyes as opposed to looking upwards by 30° when the monitor is positioned above the eye level.
Take frequent breaks: Resting eyes helps keep them moist. Use the 20-20-20 rule, by asking your child to take a 20-second screen break every 20 minutes to look at objects 20 feet away from you.
Aim bigger: Increase font size when reading on-screen, so that devices don’t need to be too close to your eyes.
Blink more frequently: Staring at a screen makes us blink less often, which dries out the eyes. Blinking moistens the eyes, reducing dryness and irritation.
Build strong eye muscles: Teach strengthening exercises like keeping your thumb at an arms distance in the line of your nose and focus with both eyes on it. Slowly move the thumb towards the nose with your gaze fixated on the thumb.
The writer is Head, Optometry & Training, Titan Company Limited