Is Screen Time Harmful for Children’s Eyes?

Today, children spend more time in front of screens than ever. While digital learning offers many benefits, it also raises concerns about its impact on children’s eye health. At Dr. Basu Eye Hospital, we’ve seen many cases where prolonged screen time has led to eye discomfort and vision issues in young patients.

Fortunately, Ayurvedic eye treatment offers holistic solutions to these problems, helping to protect and nurture children’s vision. Digital tools and digital media have become integral to our personal and working lives. Digital learning enhances access to education and knowledge. It empowers student skills with a mindset and capabilities that set them up for success in their present and future, instilling optimism about its potential benefits.

The Impact of Digital Learning on Children’s Eyes

Digital learning involves prolonged exposure to screens, whether for online classes, homework, or leisure activities. This can strain the eyes in several ways:

1. Digital Eye Strain: when you constantly stare at your digital screen, it ends up straining your eyes, leading to signs like dry eyes, headaches, blurred vision, and fatigue.
2. Blue Light Exposure: It’s true that the emission of light from the screens including blue light emission, enters deep into the eyes, causes digital eye strain and disrupts sleep routines.
3. Reduced Blink Rate: When children concentrate on a digital screen, they tend to blink less, leading to dryness and eye discomfort.
4. Closeness to Screen: Children often hold screens closer to their eyes than adults, increasing the strain on their eyes and leading to nearsightedness over time.

Digital learning & Mental Health

Digital learning also increases the risk of mental health problems like anxiety or depression among students in several ways:

1. Social Isolation: Due to online learning there is a reduced face-to-face interaction, which makes students feel isolated and even disconnected from equivalents, which may invite loneliness and ultimately depression.
2. Increased Screen Time: Excessive screen time can impact sleep patterns, contribute to eye strain, and direct to a lethargic lifestyle, all of which are related to end up in increased anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Ayurvedic Insights on Eye Health

Ayurveda’s age-old science of healing presents valuable insights into maintaining and enhancing eye health, particularly in the digital age. According to Ayurveda, eye health is closely connected to the balance of the three doshas, which govern vision. But if you get your Vata and Pitta doshas organized, you can ensure good eye health.

At Dr. Basu Eye Hospital, we have a blending approach of modern diagnostic techniques with Ayurvedic treatments to offer complete care for your children’s eyes. The hospital specializes in treating various diseases which are both acute and chronic in nature. The hospital also provides treatment for immature Cataract, Cataract, glaucoma. Diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa etc .

Ayurvedic Remedies for Digital Eye Strain

1. Triphala Eye Wash: Triphala, is a blend of three potent fruits and is known for its rejuvenating properties. An eye wash made from Triphala can help soothe tired eyes, reduce inflammation, and cleanse the eyes of impurities.
2. Anjana (Herbal Kajal): Applying Ayurvedic herbal Kajal also helps the eyes in preventing the harmful effects of screen exposure. Its cooling properties pacify Pitta and provide relief from eye strain.
3. Netra Tarpana: This Ayurvedic therapy involves placing a pool of medicated ghee over the eyes. Netra Tarpana nourishes the eyes, improves vision, and alleviates eye strain caused by prolonged screen use.
4. Herbal Remedies: Ayurvedic herbs like Amalaki (Indian Gooseberry), Yashtimadhu (Licorice), and Haritaki benefit eye health. These can be taken internally to support overall eye function and reduce the impact of digital strain.
5. Eye Exercises: Simple eye exercises, such as palming, eye rotations, and blinking exercises, are helpful in relieving eye strain and improving focus. These exercises are easy to incorporate into a child’s daily routine and are highly effective in maintaining eye health.
6. Dietary Recommendations: Balancing your diet in Ayurveda means balancing your three tatwas, and this is possible by consuming foods, i.e. carrots, leafy greens, and ghee, which are rich in vitamin A, are highly recommended. Our Ayurvedic experts at the hospital provide personalized dietary advice to help support your child’s eye health naturally.
7. Lifestyle Changes : Facilitating frequent breaks from screen time, practicing the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds), and ensuring proper lighting can significantly reduce eye strain.

Protecting Children’s Eyes for the Future

Post covid and during Covid online classes to impart education for school going children has become an integral part of education and therefore it’s crucial to take proactive steps to protect children’s eyes.
At Dr. Basu Eye Hospital, we believe that Ayurvedic eye treatments can safeguard your child’s vision against the potential hazards of prolonged screen exposure. Moreover If your child’s eye health needs an Ayurvedic eye treatment, contact Dr. Basu Eye Hospital today. Let’s work together to ensure that your child enjoys the benefits of digital learning without compromising their precious vision.