Prolonged screen time has led to more eye problems, with a number of kids needing spectacles
Nagpur: Prolonged online education has led to health issues cropping up among a number of students during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to reports. The health issues mainly include stress, severe eyesight problems and insomnia. Several students experienced severe physical strain, eyesight troubles, backache and headache due to postural problems, apart from lethargy, fatigue, irritability and obesity.
According to a report in local media, increased screen time, online education, and sedentary lifestyle have started showing adverse effects on children. Over a year of online schooling has led to more eye problems, with a number of kids as young as 5 to 8 years of age needing spectacles. According to doctors, when the schools reopen, many more children could start realizing they have vision problems.
A paediatric ophthalmologist said more children nowadays need glasses after the second wave. Children are requiring spectacles at a younger age. Digital Eye Strain (DES) is one of the reasons. Worrisome fact is that most kids can’t identify and tell anyone that they have vision problems, the doctor said adding that it is the responsibility of parents to see vision problems in children and take them to the doctor if necessary.
The report further said that a study to determine prevalence, symptoms, frequency and associated risk factors of DES among children attending online learning during the pandemic earlier this year in the Medical Journal of Ophthalmology has revealed alarming results. More than 50% students attending online classes suffered from Digital Eye Strain.
A doctor at AIIMS said that a large number of students are visiting the hospital complaining of eye problems after the second wave. Children already having glasses are getting higher numbers. Those children who never had spectacles are getting numbers as well.
It is difficult for kids getting glasses at an early age to get rid of them later in life.
Studies have shown that children’s screen time has nearly doubled during the Covid pandemic. Prolonged online education has led to health issues cropping up among a number of students. The health issues mainly include stress, severe eyesight problems and insomnia.
Several students experienced severe physical strain, eyesight troubles, backache and headache due to postural problems, apart from lethargy, fatigue, irritability and obesity, the report said.
