Short sightedness on the rise as remote learning boosts kids’ screen time

Eyesight problems are on the rise among Aussie kids for two big reasons. Here’s some expert advice for protecting your children’s eyes.

Increased screen time is putting a strain on children's’ eyes across Australia.

The combination of remote learning and lockdowns has seen 71 per cent of parents report an increase in their child’s screen time because of Covid.

The effect of this is that myopia — or short sightedness — is on the rise in Australian children. Clinical data from SpecSavers shows rates of myopia in 8 to 15-year-old children increased by 4 per cent from 2016 to 2020 and Medicare data shows the number of kids aged under 14 having an eye test has been steadily increasing during the past decade, rising 33 per cent over the 10 years.

SpecSavers optometrist Greeshma Patel says staring at screens and being indoors for extended periods of time has been shown to increase the risk or myopia and she urges adults and children to set aside screen-free time each day to avoid eye strain.

“It is important for adults to lead by example when it comes to setting healthy habits for your eyes” Patel says.

“With the year that we’ve had with periodic lockdowns and the majority of us continuing to work from home, we are spending so much time on screens. This prolonged amount of time on screens means adults too have the potential to develop digital eye strain.”

Optometrist Greeshma Patel says adults and children are spending too much time on screens. Picture: Supplied

TECHNOLOGY FACTOR

Patel says growing up in a digital world is a challenge for children’s eye health.

“When kids are on phones and computers, it adds a significant demand on close vision, which can cause digital eye strain,” she says.

While research has not found any one device to be worse than others, Patel says the length of time spent on screens has a direct correlation with eye strain.

For Melbourne mum of three Sarah Mildner, the increased use of digital screens for school and recreation encouraged her to take children Sebastian, 9, and Camilla, 6, for their first eye tests.

“Probably a few things made me get their eyes checked,” she says.

“Years ago I was reading about the challenges of development with the rise of technology and using some devices so close to our eyes

“I was raised with my parents telling me to not sit too close to the TV, we were told we had to be 6m away or it would damage our eyes.

“Getting kids’ eyes tested is just something you do and I finally got around to it.”

Sebastian’s results were good, but Camilla had signs of eye strain potentially from using devices too close.

“At this stage it will just be monitored and there is no need for glasses,” Mildner says.

Sarah Mildner took her children Sebastian, 9, and Camilla, 6, for eye tests. Picture: David Crosling

Mildner, who also has a two-year-old son Theodor, was encouraged to book two yearly check-ups for the children to monitor their eye health and she says it will be a good reminder for her whole family to monitor their screen time.

Her rules allow the kids one hour of screen time per day and they spend the rest of their downtime reading, playing or practising music.

“But I understand that it’s an easy slide to have kids on devices. They are using them at school and at home so it’s hard to make the division between educational and recreational screen time. But it’s a fight worth fighting.”

PREVENT PROBLEMS

Patel says vision loss is preventable in 90 per cent of Australians if they have regular eye tests and recommends booking them for the entire family.

“It’s important that adults not only look after their child’s health, but also their own,” she says.

“As Australian primary and secondary children head back into the classroom, now is a great time for parents to schedule an eye test to ensure they are sending their child back to the learning environment with healthy, happy eyes.”

The number of kids having an eye test has been steadily increasing, rising 33 per cent over 10 years. Picture: iStock

SIGNS OF TROUBLE

* Headaches

* Blurred vision or trouble focusing

* Dry eyes

* Eye rubbing (fatigue)

* Squinting or holding the device closer

HOW TO HELP

* Remember to blink

* Drink lots of water to stop eyes drying out from dehydration

* Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes remind your child to shift their eyes to look at an object at least 20m away for at least 20 seconds. Looking out a window is ideal.

* Ensure lighting is good

* Hold devices approximately an arm’s length from your eyes.

Source: SpecSavers

Originally published as Short sightedness on the rise as remote learning boosts kids’ screen time