Cell phones severe threat to children's eyesight, warns expert

Phone addiction a significant health risk, says Dr Tayyab Afghani of Al-Shifa Trust

Dr Tayyab Afghani, a distinguished ophthalmologist at Al-Shifa Trust, has highlighted the growing concern over the impact of smartphones on children's eye health.

In remarks made on Tuesday, Dr Afghani said that while mobile phones offer invaluable connectivity and utility for youngsters, excessive use poses significant risks, particularly to ocular health.

Addressing the media, Dr Afghani underscored the potential long-term consequences of smartphone usage on children's eyesight, urging parents and educators to be cognisant of these risks. He noted that prolonged exposure to screens during crucial developmental stages could lead to serious eye complications.

Expressing concern over the pervasive nature of smartphone usage among children, Dr Afghani warned that the visual impairments resulting from excessive screen time could reach epidemic proportions. Citing research projections indicating a potential deterioration in the vision of half the global population by 2050, he urged proactive measures to mitigate this trend.

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While acknowledging advancements such as anti-glare screens and blue light reduction settings, Dr Afghani stressed the importance of additional precautions. He advised optimising screen settings like brightness, contrast, and text size to minimize eye strain, along with encouraging frequent blinking and maintaining a safe viewing distance of at least 16 inches.

Furthermore, Dr Afghani advocated for diversifying children's activities to reduce screen dependence, advocating for parental guidance and educational interventions. Proposing the implementation of screen time limits as a preventive measure, he recommended regular eye examinations by trained ophthalmologists every six months, along with the use of lubricating eye drops.

Highlighting the "20-20-20" rule as a simple yet effective practice, Dr Afghani advised individuals to take a break every 20 minutes, shifting their gaze to an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds to alleviate eye strain.

Dr Afghani stressed on the collective responsibility of parents, educators, and healthcare professionals in safeguarding children's eye health amidst the pervasive influence of smartphones.