Screen Time Surge Threatens UAE Children's Vision

Children's Vision at Risk: Screen Time Surge and Myopia Spread in UAE

The number of myopic (nearsighted) children is alarmingly increasing in the United Arab Emirates, especially among those under the age of ten. According to doctors, one of the main reasons behind this trend is the ever-growing screen time. While the use of digital devices has become routine in both school education and leisure activities, it comes at the cost of deteriorating vision in children.

Why is screen time harmful to children’s eyes?

The development of vision in childhood is a particularly sensitive process, and excessive close-up focusing, such as looking at mobile phones, tablets, and computer screens, can cause serious damage. Doctors are finding more evidence that every additional hour spent in front of screens increases the likelihood of developing myopia.

Screen time is not a direct cause of myopia, like the pathogen of an infection, but acts as a clear catalyst. The eye’s adaptive system is forced to constantly focus closely over a long period, causing the eyeball to elongate, leading to a loss of sharp vision when looking at a distance.

The Myopia Boom Effect in the UAE

The 'epidemic' spread of myopia is being observed in many countries around the world, often referred to as the 'myopia boom'. In the UAE, climatic and lifestyle factors, such as declining outdoor activities due to high temperatures, further amplify the risk. Increasing numbers of school-age children are being diagnosed with myopia, and doctors say the problem is worsening.

Children under the age of seven are particularly at risk, as the changes can worsen over the long term and to a greater extent. Early development allows several years of progression, potentially leading to more severe vision deterioration in adulthood.

The Protective Factor of Outdoor Play

One key solution is increasing time spent outdoors. Specialists suggest that daily outdoor play or staying in natural light for at least 1-2 hours significantly reduces the risk of developing myopia. Natural light affects the retina's dopamine levels, which slows the longitudinal growth of the eyeball.

Children who regularly play sports or simply spend more time outdoors are less likely to become myopic, and if they do develop the condition, it is generally milder.

Prevention in Daily Life: The 20-20-20 Rule

A general recommendation from specialists in the digital age is the 20-20-20 rule: after every 20 minutes of close focusing, look at something 20 feet (about 6 meters) away for at least 20 seconds. This helps relax the eye muscles and prevent excessive strain.

Additionally, proper lighting, correct posture, adequate screen distance and angle, and reducing glare are important. These fundamental 'visual hygiene' habits can easily be developed at home and in school.

Special Treatments and Tools

With advancements in medicine, several options are now available to treat and slow myopia. These include orthokeratology lenses (night-time contact lenses that temporarily reshape the cornea), and low-dose atropine eye drops that inhibit the progression of myopia.

Special glasses lenses are also available, which redirect peripheral light to reduce eyeball elongation, though they should only be used after specialist examination.

The Role and Responsibility of Schools

Schools in the UAE are not idle: several educational institutions conduct regular vision screenings across different grades and for all newly enrolled students. These screenings check not only for myopia but also color blindness and other vision disorders.

Teachers partake in prevention efforts by observing if a student frequently squints, struggles to read the board, or complains about their vision. If a suspicion arises, parents are immediately notified, and a specialist examination is recommended.

Moreover, schools initiate programs to help students and parents understand the risks of excessive screen use, offering advice on reducing screen time and developing habits crucial for healthy vision.

Community Approach: Parents, Teachers, Doctors Together

An increasing number of schools employ a holistic, community approach involving parents, teachers, and doctors working together to protect children’s vision. They balance the use of digital devices in classrooms with outdoor time and offline activities.

Some institutions even introduce eye exercises during breaks between classes and use timers or applications to help consciously regulate screen usage.

Summary

The spread of myopia in the United Arab Emirates is not just a health issue but a societal challenge as well. The benefits of the digital world cannot be ignored, but health—especially children's vision—should not be sidelined.

The key to solving this is balance: conscious screen use, regular outdoor activities, preventive screenings, and a collective effort from parents, teachers, and doctors. Only this way can we ensure that future generations see clearly—both literally and figuratively.

(Source based on an article published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.)