New Delhi: In a digital era, children spend more time on screens than ever before. And this, when coupled with reduced outdoor activities and increased academic pressure, the odds of developing vision problems become much higher. However, as per experts, parents have a crucial role to play in maintaining a child’s eye health. This can be achieved by monitoring daily habits, identifying the warning signs, and leveraging tools to track and improve visual health.

Observing and Supporting Eye Health at Home

Children often fail to express visual discomfort directly, making it essential for parents to observe their behavior closely. Dr. Sandra Ganesh, Consultant, Department of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Aravind Eye Hospital, Coimbatore, explains that early symptoms of eye strain, such as frequent eye rubbing, holding books or screens too close, or complaining of headaches, can easily go unnoticed. However, she adds that small lifestyle adjustments at home can make a significant difference in preventing vision problems.

Here are some simple yet effective strategies parents can adopt:

1. Ensure proper lighting: Make sure children have adequate lighting while reading or studying to reduce strain.


2. Maintain correct posture: Encourage children to sit upright at desks and keep devices at an appropriate distance.


3. Promote screen breaks: Follow the 20-20-20 rule — every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.


4. Encourage outdoor activities: Spending at least 90 minutes outdoors daily exposes children to natural sunlight, which is proven to slow the progression of myopia (nearsightedness).


5. Track screen time: Limit continuous screen usage and introduce device-free family routines during meals or playtime. These simple habits not only reduce eye strain but also instill healthier visual behavior in children, setting the foundation for long-term eye health.

Leveraging Technology and Regular Check-Ups

Highlighting the growing role of technology in preventive eye care, Dr. Rahul Jain, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Dr. Jain’s Eye Clinic, explains that digital tools and mobile apps now enable parents to monitor their child’s visual habits and detect early signs of eye strain or vision problems. Child-friendly screening tools can even identify refractive errors, eye alignment issues, or focusing difficulties before symptoms become noticeable.

Parents can use technology to:

1. Log daily screen time: Monitor how much time children spend on devices.


2. Track symptoms: Record behaviors like eye rubbing, squinting, or complaints of headaches.


3. Document visual habits: Maintain a record of posture, screen distance, and other factors that influence eye health.

This data can be shared with ophthalmologists during routine check-ups, helping them spot patterns and recommend timely interventions. Dr. Rahul Jain also emphasises the importance of annual comprehensive eye examinations, even if a child shows no symptoms. These exams can detect subtle vision changes early and prevent issues from worsening. For children with existing vision problems, high screen exposure, or a family history of myopia, more frequent reviews may be necessary.