The effect of digital games on children's eyes

The effect of digital games on children's vision health

Today, when technology is developing at a fast pace, digital games have become an integral part of children's lives. From tablets and smartphones to game consoles, these tools are delivering entertainment and education in new ways. However, along with countless benefits, there are also many concerns about the impact of digital gaming on children's eyes. Parents, teachers and even the children themselves have this question in mind, do these games really harm their children's eyes? Is blue light from screens really dangerous and how much screen time is appropriate for children? In this article, we will answer all these questions and provide practical tips for maintaining children's vision health in the digital age.

Why are digital games worrying for children's eyes?

Continuous interaction with screens, especially during the growth of children, can create certain challenges for eye health. Understanding these challenges is the first step for proper management and prevention of possible complications.

Effect of blue light on vision health

Most digital devices, including mobile phones, tablets and monitors, emit a light called "blue light". This type of light, which is part of the visible spectrum, has a shorter wavelength and more energy. It's true that natural blue light from the sun is essential for the body's sleep-wake regulation, but excessive exposure to artificial blue light from digital devices, especially at night, can have negative effects. This light can damage the sensitive cells of the retina and increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration in the long run. Also, this light can disturb the secretion of melatonin (sleep hormone) and lead to disturbances in children's sleep patterns. Therefore, it is better to be careful when using digital devices, especially at night, and avoid excessive or long-term exposure.

Digital Eye Fatigue

One of the common problems of long-term use of digital devices is digital eye strain syndrome. This condition, sometimes called computer vision syndrome, involves a series of uncomfortable symptoms caused by too much eye focus on a screen for long periods of time. Children blink less when playing or watching a screen, which leads to dry and tired eyes. Symptoms of digital eye strain can include the following:

Dryness, burning and redness of the eyes
Blurred vision
Headache
Neck pain or shoulder pain
Sensitivity to light

Read more: All about dry eye

Danger of myopia

The relationship between the use of screens and the increase in the prevalence of myopia (myopia) in children is an issue that has been emphasized by many ophthalmologists. Continuous focus on close objects (screen) and lack of time spent outdoors can change the shape of the eye and, as a result, develop myopia. During development, children's eyes are very flexible, and vision habits can have a significant impact on its development and formation. A reduction in outdoor play time, which allows the eyes to focus on longer distances and exposure to natural light, fuels this concern.

Key recommendations for maintaining children's eye health in the digital age

Today, it is not possible to completely remove the child's mobile game and other digital devices from their life, but they can be treated better with preventive methods and proper management of their eyes. Here are some key tips for keeping children's vision healthy:

The 20-20-20 rule and the importance of rest

A simple and effective way to prevent digital eye strain is to use the 20-20-20 rule. According to this rule, look at an object 20 feet (about 6 meters) away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This allows the eye muscles to relax and prevents constant focusing. Also, regular and longer breaks (e.g. 15 minutes after every hour of play) are necessary to move, stretch and completely disconnect from the screen.

How to make the game environment healthier?

Appropriate distance: Make sure the child is at an appropriate distance from the screen. For computers, the distance should be about 50-70 cm, and for tablets and smartphones, about 30-40 cm. The screen should not be kept too close to the eyes.
Proper lighting: Avoid playing in dark rooms. Ambient lighting should be sufficient and without glare.
Display settings: Adjust the screen brightness according to the ambient light. Use high contrast and appropriate font size so that the eyes are less strained. Many devices have a night mode or blue light filter that can be useful in the late hours of the day.

Regular eye examinations

Regular eye examinations for children are very necessary and important, even if there are no outward symptoms. An ophthalmologist can detect vision problems in the early stages and provide the necessary guidance to manage and prevent their progression.

Comparison of healthy and harmful screen use habits

healthy habit bad habit Observance of the 20-20-20 rule and regular rest Hours of non-stop gameplay Play in an environment with enough light and no radiation Playing in a dark or brightly lit room Set the appropriate distance from the screen Keeping the screen too close to the eyes Limit overall screen time No time limit for digital games Encourage outdoor play Exclusion from activities outside the home Use a blue light filter at night Not using a blue light filter, especially at night Regular eye examinations Failure to visit an ophthalmologist until a serious problem occurs

The effect of digital games on children's visual health: positive and negative aspects

As mentioned above, the impact of digital games on children's eyes does not only include negative aspects. Digital games can sometimes help children's mental development and even strengthen their vision, but at the same time, they also have risks that need to be managed.

Among the positive aspects, hand-eye coordination, reaction speed, and problem-solving ability can be mentioned. Games that require quick visual processing and concentration can help strengthen some visual skills. Also, educational games can be effective in developing children's visual literacy and spatial understanding. These games, if used in moderation, can be a powerful tool for learning and developing skills.

However, the negative aspects described earlier still require special attention. If the child sits too much at the screen, especially intensive games with high graphics, it can lead to eye fatigue, dry eyes and increase the risk of myopia. The lack of balance between screen time and physical activities and outdoor play is the main concern for children's vision health. The ultimate goal is to be able to take advantage of the benefits of games and take care of the child's visual and physical health.

Read more: Surgery of refractive errors: Farewell to glasses and lenses

Tips for Parents: Managing Screen Time and Healthy Habits

Parents play an essential role in forming healthy habits of using digital devices in their children. Here are some practical tips for effectively managing screen time and promoting healthy habits:

Set clear time limits: There are different guidelines for different ages. In general, it is recommended not to use screens for children under 2 years old. For children 2 to 5 years old, a maximum of 1 hour per day and for children over 6 years old, with supervision and reasonable limits, the use of the screen can reach up to 2 hours per day, provided that it includes enough breaks.
Be a role model: Children often imitate their parents. If you are constantly on your phone, don't expect your child to behave differently. Designate screen-free times for the family, such as meal times or bedtime.
Provide alternative activities: Provide plenty of opportunities for outdoor play, reading print books, playing board games, and creative activities. These activities not only help eye health, but also help the overall development of the child.
Use blue light filters: These filters can be software or special glasses and help reduce exposure to blue light, especially at the end of the day.

Warning signs: when to see an ophthalmologist?

Being aware of warning signs can help detect vision problems early. Be sure to consult the best eye doctor if you notice any of the following:

Frequent rubbing of the eyes or complaints of itching and burning eyes.
Getting too close to the screen or book to see better.
Blinking or narrowing the eyes abnormally to focus.
Frequent headaches, especially after using digital devices.
Continuous eye redness or abnormal discharge.
Reports of blurred vision, double vision, or difficulty seeing at night.
Eye deviation (lochi) or lack of coordination in eye movement.

Conclusion

Finally, the impact of digital games on children's eyes is a complex issue that requires a balanced and informed approach. Digital games are an inevitable part of children's lives today and have benefits for them, but ignoring their risks, especially when it comes to vision health, can have serious consequences. Parents can help keep their children's eyes healthy by following tips such as the 20-20-20 rule, managing screen time, creating a suitable play environment, and conducting regular eye exams. The key to success is balance; A balance between the benefits of technology and ensuring that children have enough time for outdoor activities and rest for the eyes. With awareness and timely action, we can protect our children's precious eyes from the challenges of the digital age.