3 Eye Health Problems In The Digital Age And How To Prevent It

JAKARTA - In today's digital era, the use of gadgets such as smartphones, tablets, and computers has become an integral part of everyday life.

Although technology provides many conveniences, prolonged exposure to the screen can have a negative impact on eye health. Therefore, it is important for us to understand how to maintain eye health to remain optimal.

Based on data from the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey, it shows a significant increase in cases of visual problems. Among children over the age of one, the use of visual aids was recorded at 11.2 percent.

In addition, reports from the World Report of Vision in 2019 estimate that there will be 65 million cases of myopia among children, and this figure is predicted to continue to increase in the next few decades.

In this case, according to dr. Nugroho Nitiyoso, Medical Senior Manager of Kalbe, we need to realize the importance of eye health protection and care from an early age, especially in the digital era which is full of gadget exposure.

"WHO notes that myopia and hypermetropy are the most common refractional disorders, often requiring the use of glasses. Digital eye strain, on the other hand, is caused by excessive use of gadgets," in education via IG Live on the @ptkalbefarmatbk Instagram account.

In the digital era, said dr. Nugroho, there are three types of visual impairments that are common, including refraction disorders (miopocia and hypermetropy), digital eye strain (tire eyes), and cataracts.

One of the common vision problems is myopia, which is exacerbated by the excessive use of gadgets. Symptoms of the digital eye strain include sore eyes, pain, and headaches.

For parents, it is important to pay attention to myopia signs in children, such as the tendency to advance their heads or close their eyes when looking at objects remotely.

In addition, there are other problems such as cataracts, which are often experienced by the elderly, which can cause blurred vision. One of the causes is diabetes. Other disorders such as strabismus (jugglers) also need to be considered, where one eye looks forward while the other does not.

In addition to gadget exposure, the causes of eye problems also include exposure to radicals free from pollution, smoking, diabetes, and sunlight. To fight these negative effects, it is recommended to eat foods rich in antioxidants, such as green leafy vegetables, and supplements containing lutein and zeaxanthin.

"In addition to reducing the use of gadgets, it is important to spend at least two hours a day doing activities outdoors, such as seeing objects far away," suggested dr. Nugroho.

In addition to eating foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins, routine eye health checks are highly recommended. At least this method can monitor eye health, if there are signs of disturbances, such as viewing habits from close range, it is better to consult an eye doctor.