Smartphones Are A Severe Threat To Children’s Eyesight, Warns Expert

Prof. Dr. Tayyab Afghani, the leading ophthalmologist at Al-Shifa Trust stated while talking to media persons that smartphones have developed into a significant risk for youngsters. According to him, cell phones could have severe and long-lasting impacts on children’s eye health. He said:

“Mobile phones keep children connected at all times and serve many positive purposes, but overuse has become common, leading to serious eye complications.”

Smartphones Have Developed Into A Significant Risk For Children

Dr. Tayyab advised the parents and teachers to be aware of the consequences of excessive use of cell phones. Youngsters these days stare at smartphones for too long. Most children have access to a smartphone and use it almost all the time. The children whose eyesight is still developing have incurable impacts on their vision.

Dr Afghani stated that smartphones could potentially contribute to epidemic levels of eye problems. According to research, the vision of 50 percent of the world’s population may be affected by 2050. Mobile phones have anti-glare screens and settings that lower the emission of blue light, which may damage the cornea. Afghani emphasized that parents and teachers should try to involve youngsters in other activities to divert them from the screen.

Precautionary Measures!

Dr. Tayyab also shared some precautionary measures which can help protect your eyes.

• Adjust the brightness, contrast, and size of the text to help reduce some harm to the eyes.
• Teach children to blink frequently while watching the screen
• Ensuring the screen is at least 16 inches away from children’s eyes while watching
• Setting time limits on how long children can stare at screens. It is the best way to keep them from getting eye problems.
• Visit a trained ophthalmologist every six months to get your children’s eyes examined.
• Use lubricant eye drops
• Follow the 20-20 rule (A person using a screen should shift his eyes to look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds and be repeated after a 20-minute gap)