Health experts are warning that children could develop an eye condition called digital eye strain due to prolonged smartphone use during the summer holidays. Symptoms include tired eyes, blurred vision, headaches, dry eyes, and difficulty refocusing.
Concern Over Screen Time
As the summer holidays come to an end, many young kids and teenagers are spending remaining time on their smartphones. Unlike a couple of decades ago, many children are now glued to tech devices instead of playing outside. The Department of Health and Social Care found that fewer than one in five kids (18%) get an hour of exercise a day, raising concerns about both physical and eye health.
Digital Eye Strain and Myopia Risk
Specialists at Optical Express warn that extended screen focus can contribute to digital eye strain. While digital devices have not been shown to cause permanent eye damage, prolonged screen use combined with reduced time outside may contribute to the development and progression of myopia (short-sightedness) in susceptible children.
Dr Stephen Hannan, group clinical services director at Optical Express, said: "Summer holidays naturally mean children spend more time using phones, tablets, computers and games consoles. Technology plays an important role in education and entertainment, but it's equally important that children spend time outdoors, take regular breaks from close-up tasks and avoid prolonged periods of uninterrupted screen use. These simple habits can help reduce digital eye strain and support healthy visual development."
Signs Parents Should Notice
Dr Hannan added: "Parents are often the first to notice when something isn't quite right with their child's vision. Frequent eye rubbing, headaches, squinting, sitting unusually close to screens or the television, losing their place when reading, or struggling to see distant objects may all be signs that an eye examination is needed."
He states that regular eye examinations are one of the most effective ways to identify vision problems early, and early detection can make a "significant difference".
Tips to Reduce Screen Strain
Optical Express suggests encouraging children to follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes of screen time, look approximately 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This allows the eyes to refocus on a distance further away than the device in hand.
Other techniques include spending at least two hours outdoors each day where practical, using digital devices in well-lit environments, maintaining an appropriate viewing distance, and avoiding prolonged periods of uninterrupted screen use.
