Children and screens How they affect children's vision Ophthalmologist Chania - Nikos Vakalis

In recent years, the trend of children spending more and more time in front of screens has become increasingly worrying. The use of mobile phones, tablets, computers and televisions has increased dramatically, as digital devices have become an integral part of their daily lives. Parents often notice that their children spend endless hours playing games or watching videos, which can negatively affect their health.

Constant exposure to screens can have a significant impact on their eye health. Experts warn that excessive use of digital devices can cause symptoms such as eye strain, dry eyes and headaches. In addition, visual disorders such as myopia are starting to appear in children at very young ages, which was not so common in the past.

The situation is exacerbated by the fact that many children do not maintain appropriate distances from screens, while often ignoring warnings about breaks that are necessary to rest their eyes. The lack of physical activity, which usually accompanies prolonged screen use, can also contribute to the deterioration of their visual health, as outdoor activity and natural light are important for eye development.

It is important for parents and educators to be informed about the effects of excessive screen use and to promote healthy habits. Setting rules for the time children spend in front of screens, encouraging regular breaks, and promoting activities that involve physical movement are some of the strategies that can help protect their visual health.

At Nikos Vakalis' ophthalmology clinic in Chania, we place particular importance on preventive screening of children's vision and the early diagnosis of problems related to the use of screens.

🔎 Possible problems from excessive screen use in children

• Myopia : prolonged close focus increases the risk.

• Dry eye : eyelid opening and closing is reduced, resulting in irritation.

• Eye strain : headaches, blurred vision, difficulty concentrating.

• Poor posture : leads to neck and shoulder pain.

⚠️ Signs parents should watch out for

• The child gets too close to the screen or books.

• Complains about headaches or tired eyes.

• He rubs his eyes often.

• He has difficulty concentrating on reading.

🛡️ Tips for proper screen use in children

• Time restriction : experts recommend <2 hours/day outside of school.

• Frequent breaks : applying the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 6 meters away for 20 seconds).

• More time outdoors : natural light protects against the development of myopia.

• Correct distance from screens : at least 40 cm from a tablet/mobile phone, 60–70 cm from a computer.

• Regular eye exams : especially if there is a family history of myopia or other vision problems.

📍 Ophthalmologist Chania – Nikos Vakalis

Children's vision is precious and requires care from an early age. Early screening can prevent serious problems in the future.