•Dr Priscilia Imade
School holidays provide children with a much-needed break from academic activities but they can also bring increased screen time, late-night device use, indoor activities and reduced outdoor play.
While children enjoy their holidays, parents should remember that their eyes also need protection and healthy habits.
One of the biggest concerns during the holidays is excessive screen exposure. Smartphones, tablets, computers, gaming devices and television can keep children engaged for several hours each day.
Prolonged near-work and continuous screen use may contribute to symptoms such as eye strain, headaches, dry eyes, blurred vision and difficulty focusing.
WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW AND DO
1) Parents should therefore encourage children to take regular breaks from screens. The 20-20-20 rule is a simple habit: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
2) However, holiday eye care should not be about screens alone. Outdoor play is equally important. Children should be encouraged to spend time outdoors, playing sports, walking, cycling and engaging in other age-appropriate activities.
Increased outdoor time is associated with a lower risk of developing myopia (short-sightedness), which is becoming an increasing concern among children worldwide.
3) Parents should also pay attention to how children use their eyes. Reading should be done with adequate lighting and at a comfortable distance. Children should avoid reading while lying down or holding books and devices excessively close to their faces.
4) The holidays are also an excellent opportunity to look out for signs of undetected vision problems. A child who frequently squints, sits very close to the television, complains of headaches, rubs the eyes excessively, struggles to read, closes one eye when looking at distant objects or has an eye that turns in or out, may need a comprehensive eye examination.
5) Eye injuries are another important holiday concern. Children involved in sports, fireworks, DIY activities or other potentially hazardous play should use appropriate protective eyewear where necessary. Parents should never underestimate the seriousness of an eye injury.
6) Most importantly, do not wait until a child complains before checking their eyes. Some childhood eye conditions may have few obvious symptoms, yet early detection can make a significant difference to visual development and academic performance.
7) This holiday, let us give our children more than entertainment. Let us give them healthy visual habits, outdoor play and the opportunity to see clearly into their future.
HOLIDAY EYEHEALTH CHECK LIST FOR PARENTS
1) Less continuous screen time
2) More outdoor play
3) Regular breaks during near work
4) Good lighting when reading
5) Protective eyewear during risky activities
6) Watch for changes in vision or eye alignment
7) Schedule an eye examination when indicated.
Finally, screens are inevitable, but childhood vision problems should not be ignored. Protect your child’s eyes today for a clearer tomorrow.
Enjoy your holiday.
*Dr Priscilia Imade is CEO, Modern Eye Clinic, Lagos. E-mail: moderneyecliniclagos@gmail.com
Another edition of the column returns on Monday in The Frontier.
