Mother, Limit Time To Watch Devices To Reduce Dry Eyes Risk In Children

Illustration of Children's Eyes (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) recommends parents prohibit children under the age of one from looking at the device screen and limiting screen time for children aged one to three years to a maximum of one hour with several notes.

Children aged one to two years according to IDAI should only be allowed to look at the device screen when communicating via video calls.

IDAI recommends implementing a maximum screen time limit of one hour per day for children aged three to six years, a maximum of 90 minutes per day for children aged six to 12 years, and no more than two hours per day for children aged 12 to 18 years.

An eye specialist from JEC Eye Hospitals and Clinics Niluh Archi said that too long staring at the screen can cause dry eyes in children.

In a speech to commemorate the Dry Eye Awareness Month which was followed online from Jakarta, Tuesday, the eye doctor who graduated from the University of Indonesia explained that the frequency and completeness of flickering decreased when his eyes focused on looking at the screen.

"This condition can increase eye-surface drought, which over time has the potential to start dry eye cycles," said doctor Niluh Archi, who is familiarly called Manda.

Dry eyes are multifactorial disorders on the surface of the eye characterized by loss of equilibrium of the tear component, instabilities of tears, increased congestion or osmolerity of tears, and damage or inflammation of the eye's surface.

Symptoms of dry eyes generally include discomfort such as blocking the eyes; the eyes are often red, runny, and dry; the eyes feel sandy; the appearance of dirt in the eyes; the eyes feel sticky; and there is often a desire to look into the eyes.

"Although there is no difference in dry eyes based on age, the process of anamnesis in pediatric patients is more difficult than adult patients. Children often cannot describe complaints that are felt verbally. This is a challenge," explained doctor Manda.

"Here, the sensitivity of parents is very crucial. Parents must be responsive and critical if they find their children starting to show dry eye symptoms, including immediately checking with an eye doctor," he said.

He advised parents to strictly impose screen time limits on children, ensuring that children are disciplined in following the limits set to avoid the risk of dry eyes.