CHILDREN AND COMPUER USE - points to remember

Millions of children work on the computer on a daily basis. While this may be a necessity in some cases as they may have school assignments, some may be just playing computer games for hours on end. It is important to be aware of the harmful effects of computer use in children.

Dry eyes
Adults do complain of symptoms of dry eyes like redness, pain , irritation of the eyes  after prolonged computer use. Children also have the same symptoms but they have some unique aspects which makes them more susceptible to the eye problems

Use of adult computer
Children may not adjust to the table height or the ergonomics may be wrong. Hence they may end up having eye strain or back and neck pain

Increased tolerance
Children are too engrossed in their own world and may ignore the warning signs like eye strain . If they have an underlying refractive error or eye problem they may ignore the poor vision as something that everyone may have. Children many a times have a hypermetropia or plus number which they can overcome with their eye power, but this may become an issue when they use the computer for long hours.

Reduced blinking
Children are not bothered about other things when they are hooked on to computer games and reduced blinking will lead them to forcefully blink their eyes or to severe eye strain.

Accommodation problems
Focussing can be at strain and the internal eye muscles may fatigue because of the excess eye strain .
This can lead to difficult focusing for distance - accommodative spasm.

Room lighting
The room light should not be too bright nor too dark. Comfort while viewing is a must.

POINTS TO REMEMBER
1, PREVENT CONTINOUS USE
2, GET THEIR EYE EXAMINED IN CASE OF ANY ISSUES
3, CHECK THE ERGONOMICS
4, USE OPTIMAL LIGHTING
5, ENCOURAGE THEM TO PLAY OUTDOORS

Who is likely to develop myopia ?

A child is more likely to develop myopia if he/she:

1. has one or both parents who have myopia
2. is frequently involved in near work such as reading, writing, computer work for long periods of time without a break.                                                                                                                                 www.axiseyeclinic.com

Hyperhomocysteinemia and the eyes

Did you know that hyper homocysteine levels are a major problem in the Indian population. Many of us are even vegetarians and may suffer from B 12 deficiency.

This is an independent risk factor for the progression of diabetic retinopathy and other vascular diseases like non arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy.

Many cases on investigation do not have any abnormality except increased homocysteine levels. To supplement this in the diet there are different formulations available which contain methyl folate, methyl cobalamin and pyridoxal phosphate. Sometimes patients have pernicious anemia in which the stomach cannot digest or absorb the vitamins.

I guess awareness is the key in all these conditions. If needed one should test B 12 levels and homocysteine levels in the blood.