Visual health and new technologies

In the twenty-first century the visual health and new technologies have forged a close bond. The presence of electronic devices in our lives is increasing, as well as the increase of people suffering from conjunctivitis, or dry eyes due to its abuse.

Do You Know the latest data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) on the use of technologies in the home? Television (99.2 ), mobile phone (96.4 ) and fixed phone (78.2 ). According to the INE these are in order, the three appliances that almost all the Spaniards we have at home. If you miss the absence of the computer (74.8 ) quiet, appears in fourth position, below the fixed phone, what surprised? In terms of the child population (10 to 15 years) the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is very high.

The use of computer is virtually universal (95.2 % ), and 91.8 % use the Internet. For its part, the 63.0 % of children have mobile phones.

According to Dr. Carlos Laria Ochaita, expert in ophthalmology pediatric, increasingly are frequent questions in your query on the direct relationship between the visual health and new technologies, in particular “how it affects the vision of children to play with the mobile or the tablet.

Dr. Laria believes as well:

The mobile phone/tablet is not badin the sense that it will not create an added problem of vision or is going to let blind. If it is true that the mobile or tablets as any device that requires us to pay too much attention, we determined a fall unconscious and involuntary of the frequency of blinking, which makes the eyes do not have enough hydration on its surface by the distribution of the tear, with the consequent irritation, redness and burning that requires frequent use artificial tears or to rest of the management of these devices.

Well same sometimes excess maintained of convergence of the eyes looking at these devices at very close distances can cause what we call spasms of accomodation, or false shortsightedness that are reinforced by the use of these devices, but cases are not frequent.

By the use of these devices not going to do in a general way for a child to more or less short-sighted or change your farsightedness, for example, although the effort itself may cause when the time is excessive, headaches. But the question as we said goes beyond and what really we should ask ourselves is if a child requires the use of a mobile phone or a Tablet for fun.

Under my point of view as a specialist in ophthalmology and pediatric strabismus that takes 25 years to treat these children i believe that what a child needs is to express their creativity and spontaneity without need to use a telephone or a Tablet. I think that it is necessary to learn how to interact with other children and with their environment without relying on these gadgets. I believe that you need to do is perform a sporting activity that avoid the sedentary lifestyle and foster the development of a generation with problems of obesity. A child should interact with their peers without necessarily being connected by a mobile phone. Children need be, to talk, discuss, laugh and cry together, to make their emotions do not come linked to the Martians that have eliminated in a sad game. I like to see the kids play around in the parks, i like to see how shared laughter and crying, but that forces the parents to a greater control, you must be attentive to the needs of our children throughout their development.

The mobile or the Tablet not can never replace the love of parents, although sometimes serve to have the child in silence and without disturbing, but really a child must not be silent, it is your obligation laugh, play and jump.

Children are not televisions which turns off the volume and the mobile or tablets cannot be used as devices to turn off the volume of our children. Mobile devices are the future and all depend on them for our work and daily life, but do not let this life dependent on these devices and much less should reward this need in our children. The mobile or tablets are not harmful, but is certainly necessary for a child, you will be able to live tied to them, let them then now sufficient freedom to have a happy childhood and healthy. It is the humble opinion of a specialist in ophthalmology and pediatric strabismus.

Dr. Carlos Laria Ochaita.

Director National Unit Ophthalmology and Pediatric Strabismus

Clínica Baviera Alicante