Smartphone Use Linked to Dry Eye in School Children

If you have children who are old enough to hold an iPhone in their hands, then chances are they’re always glued to their smartphones.  Whether they’re texting their best friends or just catching up on the latest YouTube videos, your children can’t bear to be parted from their smartphones. As a parent, you may be concerned that this could have a detrimental impact on their vision and overall eye health.

As it turns out, you’re right to be concerned: dry eye, a chronic condition that’s caused by a lack of lubricant in the eye, is more prevalent in children who frequently use their smartphones.  This is particularly concerning, as dry eye can cause persistent irritation, inflammation, and even lead to tiny tears and lacerations in the eye.   

A new study published in the Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus found that children who use smartphones frequently – in addition to computers and video games – are more likely to exhibit dry eye symptoms than those who don’t.  In the study, researchers in Korea found that smartphone use was more common in the dry eye group than the control group (71 percent vs. 50 percent).  Additionally, increased use of smartphones on a day-to-day basis increased the dry eye severity, especially when smartphone use was combined with other screen-based technologies. 

It’s important for parents to understand that daily use of smartphones plays a critical role in the development of dry eye.  Therefore, consider taking the following steps to minimize dry eye symptoms:

Encourage your child to spend time outdoors.  Studies have shown that being outdoors can help encourage healthy ocular activity and development.

Make sure your child puts down the smartphone.  Enforce the 20-20 rule: for every twenty minutes that you child spends staring at his or her smartphone, make him or her spend 20 seconds looking away from the screen. 

Make sure your child gets nutrient-dense meals.  Vitamin D is particularly important for your child’s ocular health, so ensure your child drinks a glass of milk at mealtimes.

In order to effectively treat your child’s dry eyes, it’s important to schedule regular eye exams with your ophthalmologist. At the Center for Ophthalmology and Laser Surgery – serving the greater Fort Lauderdale, FL and surrounding Florida areas – Dr. Loeffler and his staff members are dedicated to protecting your ocular health against the symptoms of dry eyes.  Schedule an appointment with Dr. Loeffler today to learn more about dry eyes and your treatment options. (954) 786-5353