23 Sep What is the Long-Term Impact of Virtual Learning on Children’s Eyes?
The world of education has evolved over the past few years. We saw a major educational transformation after the COVID-19 pandemic, as more students started studying online. Nearly 1.2 billion children are no longer in school and study through virtual learning.
Digital learning opportunities are a great option for children, but they may negatively impact their health. Many children attended their classes through digital platforms like Zoom, which also contributed to eye problems in these kids.
Long-Term Impact of Virtual Learning on Children’s Eyes
Children are at a higher risk of eye diseases and health conditions than ever. It’s because most children aren’t aware of the problem. Therefore, we will discuss the long-term impact of digital learning on children’s eyes and why it’s crucial to reduce this impact.
We already know that screen time can impact vision and cause dry eye in children. However, the severity of the problem has increased because of the extended screen time.
Children are now using digital devices and gadgets like their phones, tablets, and laptops more than ever. While more research is required to clarify the issue, some problems are pretty clear. Here are some of the top problems that children may face because of increased virtual learning.
Dry Eyes and Sleep Disorders
Sitting in front of the screen for hours increases the rate at which the water inside the eyes evaporates. Children blink 66% slower when looking at a blue screen because of the higher concentration required. However, longer concentration spans increase the chances of developing dry eyes among these children.
Moreover, this prolonged exposure can also increase the chances of macular deformity and other age-related eye diseases. Increased screen exposure can also disrupt the circadian rhythms within the eye. These rhythms are responsible for controlling our sleep patterns.
Therefore, children with this much screen time can also deceive their brains into thinking that it’s the middle of the day, which affects sleep further. Therefore, the following symptoms are pretty common:
- Daytime fatigue
- Difficulty in falling asleep
- Insomnia
The sleep pattern disruption also impacts their growth, cognitive development, motor skill development, etc.
Digital Eye Strain
The digital screen can cause an increased strain on the eyes, which is also called computer vision syndrome. These symptoms can take more complicated turns if the blue screen time is not controlled timely. Following are some of the most common symptoms that you might have to bear resulting from virtual learning on children’s eyes:
- Blurred vision
- Dry eye, headaches
- Eye fatigue and discomfort
- Eye twitching
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Red eyes
Various factors play a driving force in this process and can have an increased impact on the overall performance of the eye. The good part is that eye strain is easily manageable.
For instance, parents should ensure their child takes recurrent breaks from the screen. Rests from the screen time increase the restoration of the eyes, reducing the chances of developing eye strain symptoms. Experts have different recommendations for avoiding red eyes and eye strain but taking a 10-minute break every hour is likely the most effective option.
They also recommend looking away from the computer’s screen for 20 minutes and starting at distant objects. This reduces the strain on the eyes and promotes better eye health in children. The technique is a simple yet effective tool to minimize eye problems in children.
Bottom Line
Virtual learning is a very convenient option for children but can cause undue pressure on the child’s eyes. If you have more queries, contact us at Total Eye Care. Our experts have the best services and solutions solution related to eye diseases. Contact us today at:
- Total Eye Care – Colleyville
817.416.0333
- Total Eye Care – Keller
817.431.4900