If you show the phone to your crying child to silence it or get busy in your work after holding the phone, then there is bad news for you. Eye diseases are increasing rapidly in children below 5 years of age due to watching smartphones or screens. Many East Asian countries including China and Japan are already facing this serious problem. Now the situation is getting worse in India also. According to the experts of Dr. RP Center for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS, this habit of parents is playing the most important role in spoiling the eyes of children.
Ophthalmologist of RP Centre, Prof. Rohit Saxena said, ‘Many studies have revealed that by the year 2050, 50 percent of the people in the world will be suffering from the eye disease myopia or vision defect. All these people would be able to see only by wearing glasses. However, even today the situation is not good. In East Asian countries like China, Japan etc., 80 to 90 percent of children aged 5 to 15 years have the problem of myopia. Thus, it can be understood that in a class of 50 children, about 45 children would be able to see only by wearing glasses. Whereas about 30-40 years ago, only 5 children wore glasses and 45 did not. However, looking at the circumstances, it is being estimated that the same situation may happen in India after some time.
read this also
Is the child trapped in mobile phone addiction? Doctor gave 5 easy tips, you will happily give up watching
Many surveys conducted by RP Centre’s Professor Community Ophthalmology, Dr. Praveen Vashishtha and his team are showing that vision problems are increasing in children. Especially in the urban areas around Delhi, about 20 percent of the children are already wearing glasses, or they need them.
One of the biggest problems is that many times children do not know that they have blurred vision and need glasses. Because of this they are unable to perform neither in studies nor in sports. At the same time, parents and teachers feel that the child is weak in studies or is unable to concentrate. Whereas the reality is that he cannot see the board at all, he is unable to read it. If this happens, children’s eyes must be checked.
Children are using tablets and phones at a very young age. Many guidelines have also come and we are continuously explaining to the parents that a smartphone should not be given to a child below 2 years of age. On the other hand, if there is a child below 8 years of age, then instead of a smartphone, you can give him a simple phone for talking.
What should be the minimum screen size?
Dr. Saxena says that even if you show the screen to the child, the minimum screen size should be your laptop or desktop. A screen smaller than this causes a lot of harm. The length of time and how little screen children use is a big risk factor.
Youngest lifestyle disease
Many screen guidelines have come out, in which suggestions have also been given to reduce screen time. Eye experts believe that myopia is a lifestyle disease and it is also the lifestyle disease that occurs at the youngest age. If lifestyle is improved and habits are changed, a lot can be improved.
The study was conducted in Delhi
A few days ago, RP Center had conducted a study on about 10 thousand children in Delhi. For this, an area was selected where a similar study was conducted in 2001 also. At that time, myopia was found in 7 percent of children, whereas in the results of the study conducted between 2013 and 2016, it was seen that it increased to about 21 percent. Not only this, it is also being seen in the analysis of many surveys and reports that myopia is spreading rapidly in rural areas also.
Do not hold mobile while crying
Professor Radhika Tandon said that it is seen that when the child cries or gets upset, the parents themselves give mobile phones to the children. Parents need to change this habit, if this is not done then soon the child will become a victim of myopia. The moving pictures and sounds in mobile phones are an attraction and the child gets locked into it, but it is not good for his eyes.
Parental education is very important
Pro. Jeevan S Titiyal said that parental education is very important. They should send the child for outdoor activities. If parents have high myopia then there are chances of children also having myopia. In such a situation, there is a need to seek medical assistance immediately.
read this also
Laid the foundation of heart treatment in India, did the first heart transplant, Dr. Venugopal was the one who performed the surgery on Indira Gandhi.
Tags: aiims delhi, aiims doctor, Eye Donation, Health News, trending news
FIRST PUBLISHED: October 10, 2024, 19:06 IST