Experts spoke about the impact of smartphones on children's eyesight and concentration

Using a smartphone for many hours does not lead to vision loss by itself, but it creates a significant strain on the eyes due to the short distance, prolonged focusing and a decrease in blinking frequency. It is especially important to control the time spent with gadgets in children, since their visual system is still developing. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

How a smartphone loads your eyes

According to Ada Egorova, a pediatric ophthalmologist at the Vision Ophthalmological Center in St. Petersburg, the phone affects vision in several ways at once: the load falls on the focusing system, the surface of the eye and, in children, may be associated with the risk of developing myopia.

The main problem when using the phone is the distance to the screen. A person usually holds a book about 40 cm from their face, and the phone is often 30-36 cm away. With fine print or fascinating content, the user can bring the device even closer — by 20-25 cm. At this distance, the load on the ciliary muscle increases — the inner muscle of the eye, which is responsible for changing the shape of the lens and focusing.

If at a distance of 40 cm the load on it is about 2.5 diopters, then at 20 cm it increases to about five diopters. As a result, after prolonged use of the smartphone, there may be a feeling of eye fatigue, a headache in the forehead and a temporary deterioration in visual clarity in the distance.

At the same time, Egorova noted, there is no evidence that the backlight of smartphones damages the retina. According to her, the main problem is not the blue light, but the duration of working with the screen and the constant eye strain at close range.

Why Short Videos can reduce Concentration

Smartphones affect not only the visual system, but also the functioning of the brain. According to Ekaterina Bulgakova, associate professor of the Department of Labor Psychology and Psychological Counseling at the State University of Education, short videos can reduce a person's ability to hold attention for a long time due to the constant change of bright stimuli.

According to the psychologist, this format of content creates the conditions for quick enjoyment: the brain gets used to frequent image changes and short emotional reinforcements.

According to the expert, over time, it may become more difficult for a person to engage in activities that require prolonged concentration: reading, studying, or performing complex tasks. The brain begins to avoid any kind of stress and demand only light entertainment. It is especially difficult for children to look up from the screen, as their brain areas responsible for self-control are still developing.

At the same time, attention can be restored. To do this, the specialist recommends gradually returning to the habit of long-term concentration: start by reading paper books for 15-20 minutes a day, completely removing the phone from view. According to Bulgakova, with regular practice, it takes several weeks for the brain to adapt again to calmly working with information.

Why short videos can make your eyes more tired

According to the ophthalmologist, in terms of eye function, the difference between reading a book and watching a video is not as great as is commonly believed. When reading, the gaze actively moves along the lines, and when watching a video, the image changes automatically.

However, smartphones have another feature — the lack of natural pauses. A book usually has clear stopping points: the end of a chapter or page. The short video feed is designed so that the user can continue watching for as long as possible.

In addition, when using a phone, people often hold the screen closer to their face than a book.

An additional burden is created by a decrease in the frequency of blinking. While working with the screen, a person begins to close his eyes less often and imperfectly, which causes the tear film to evaporate faster.

As a result, by evening there may be a feeling of sand in the eyes, burning, redness, temporary deterioration in image clarity and increased lacrimation.

Can a smartphone cause myopia in a child

According to the expert, a smartphone is not the only reason for the development of myopia, but prolonged work at close range can increase the risks. Myopia is associated with an increase in the length of the eyeball, which lasts up to about 18-20 years. This process is influenced by two main factors: a large amount of time spent working nearby, and a lack of natural light.

According to Egorova, research shows a link between the extra screen usage time and the likelihood of developing myopia. However, this does not mean that the reason is only the gadget: the total amount of visual load and the number of walks simultaneously affect.

At the same time, more convincing data exists regarding being on the street. Extra time outdoors helps reduce the risk of myopia in children due to high light levels.

The expert advises parents to monitor not only the child's time with a smartphone, but also how many hours he spends outdoors.

What are the signs of eye overload?

The ophthalmologist divides the main symptoms into several groups. The first category includes signs of a violation of the surface of the eye: dryness, foreign body sensation, burning, redness, desire to rub eyes.

The second group is related to focusing. This is a temporary deterioration in distant vision after working with close objects, heaviness in the eyebrow area, headaches, and a feeling that it is difficult for the eyes to switch from the phone to distant objects.

The third group is especially important for children. Parents should pay attention if a child brings a book or tablet too close, squints, avoids reading, complains that he does not see the board well, or often rubs his eyes in the evening.

However, there are symptoms that cannot be attributed to gadget fatigue. Flashes in front of the eyes, a sharp deterioration in vision, the appearance of a large number of floating opacities or a feeling of a dark "curtain" require medical attention.

How to reduce the load from your smartphone

For prevention, the ophthalmologist recommends following a few simple rules. It is important to keep the screen at a sufficient distance from the face and position it slightly below eye level. This reduces the area of the open eye surface and reduces the evaporation of tears.

It is also useful to take regular breaks, look into the distance and consciously blink. The popular 20-20-20 rule, according to which you need to look into the distance for 20 seconds every 20 minutes, can be used as a reminder, but the main thing remains the fact that the visual load changes.

Reading from a phone in the dark does not cause permanent visual impairment, but it can increase eye fatigue. In such conditions, it is better to turn on soft diffused light and reduce the brightness of the screen.

The expert also recommended avoiding direct airflow from an air conditioner, fan, or heater, as it accelerates the evaporation of tear film.

According to experts, to preserve eye health, it is important not to give up smartphones, but to use the devices correctly and consult a doctor in a timely manner when alarming symptoms appear.