Computer, phone, tablet… Unfortunately, it’s not a scoop, at home or in school, children and teenagers are spending more and more time with their eyes riveted on a screen. This can weaken their eyesight.
Characterized by clear near and blurred vision from afar, myopia remains the most common visual disorder, with nearly one in three French people affected. In children aged 6 to 9, one in four is affected. But, in France, as in the world, myopia continues to gain ground. So much so that it is estimated that half of the world’s population will be affected by 2050.
Screens (partly) responsible
Myopia is frequently of hereditary origin, caused by imperfections in the shape of the eyeball. But the time spent playing online games, consulting social networks or texting is not without impact on sight. These activities that require near vision can indeed cause what is called “behavioral” myopia.
Moreover, the time spent on a screen is as much time that will not be devoted to an outdoor activity. And we have known for a long time that this lack of natural light increases the risk of myopia.
How to counter this situation?
The first signs of myopia in children appear around the age of 6-7 years. At school, for example, he will tend to get closer to his notebook to write. Other signs should also be taken into account: if he moves closer to screens, if he does not follow people or objects moving in front of him, if he turns his head to the side to look at something, if it is sensitive to light.
It is important that myopia in children is taken care of early. Without corrective lenses, it is a cause of academic failure. Not to mention that this visual disturbance can worsen over time. The first instinct will be to consult your ophthalmologist.
Beyond this care, here are some useful tips to preserve your child’s sight:
- Being outside more than two hours a day. Indeed, the more he is exposed to natural light, the less his myopia will progress.
- Do not expose it before 3 years to screens. Children exposed to screens before this age are more likely to develop myopia in preschool age.
If he spends time in front of screens, advise him to take visual breaks of 20 seconds every 20 minutes.