With the world gone digital, the use of
computers and cell phones is no longer limited to the economically advantaged.

Virtually every home has at least one
cell phone. With technological
advances, the once bulky PCs have
paved way for hand-held devices that
do the work of PCs and more.
Tablets, smart phones and notebooks
have dominated the digital world and
are accessible to children as young as
eight years, most of whom spend
considerable hours playing games,
chatting on social network sites and
watching movies.

Besides the social concerns the use of
these technology has posed, recent
studies have shown that there is an
increased risk of early myopia
(shortsightedness) and computer vision syndrome in children who are heavy computer and smart phone users.

Myopia is an eye defect whereby near
objects are seen clearly but far away
objects appear blurred. It occurs if the
eyeball is too long or the cornea, the
clear front cover of the eye, has too
much curvature. As a result, the light
entering the eye isn’t focused correctly and distant objects look blurred.
Some studies have linked genetic
factors as a cause of myopia but
environmental factors, which include
near work, have also been pinned.
Although myopia can be treated
through the use of glasses/contact
lenses, orthokeratology or refractive
surgery and may just be a minor
inconvenience, sometimes, it can be
progressive and result to a
degenerative condition known as
degenerative or malignant myopia,
which although a rare condition, can
lead to blindness.

Around the world, there has been an
increase in myopia in recent times. In a study conducted by the United States National Eye Institute and published in the Archives of Ophthalmology, it was discovered that there was as much as a 60 per cent increase over a 30-year period. Researchers have unanimously
agreed that though there are other
factors that may put one at risk,
spending less time outdoors and heavy use of computers and smart phones increase the risk of myopia because with these activities, the child’s vision system is forced to focus and strain a lot more than any other task.

Besides the increased risk of developing myopia, Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is another prevalent condition that arises from heavy computer use. In a study by researchers in Zaria, Kaduna State and published in the European Journal of Scientific Research, it was discovered that people who spent more than two hours on a computer everyday had symptoms of CVS which included
headaches, burning eyes, general eye
strain, tired eyes, blurred vision, aching and dry eyes, light sensitivity and neck and shoulder pain.
Findings in another study conducted by the Department of Optometry, Imo
State University, Owerri, Imo State,
showed that most computer users don’t adhere to the specified conditions for the use of computers which include eye-to-screen distance of 22-28 inches; viewing angle range of between 15-50 below eye level, terminals positioned at 90 angle from unshaded windows or doors, the use of standard anti-glare filters, use of fairly new computers whose flicker rates are less than 30Hz, straight horizontal elbow-to-finger line, proper illumination(45-65FC), and straight back-neck alignment. With the
internet and games that take up hours
of play and are addictive on both
computers and phones, it is worrying
that children expose themselves to eye defects earlier than they might have been affected.
However, the chances of developing
myopia or CVS can be reduced.
According to Dr. Yinka Ologunsua, an
ophthalmologist, some of the ways
parents can help their children’s eyes
are by:

•Encouraging them to take frequent
breaks to help rest the eyes.
• Be observant of their children eyes
and any complaint from them such as
pains or a drop in vision. They should
see an ophthalmologist as soon as a
problem is detected.
•Introduce anti-glare screens on their
computers so as to reduce eye strain.
•Correct any visual error to avoid
straining.
•Increasing the font size of the
computer/phone screen.
•Using a larger monitor so they can see
the print on their computer screen
better.
Ophthalmologists have advocated that
children take 20-second breaks from
their computers every 20 minutes to
minimise the development of eye
focusing problems and eye irritation.
Simply looking into the distance or
closing the eyes gives the eyes some
rest.
They also recommend adjusting the
lighting in the room and not working in the dark because eye fatigue and strain can arise from the large difference in luminance between the phone or computer screen and the room’s dark background.

SOURCE: tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/component/k2/item/3884-how-smart-phones-computer-damage-childrens-eyes