Symptoms
of dry eyes and dry eye disease as well as ocular fatigue are known problems
that can result from the excessive use of video display terminals. Kids today
spend an awful lot of time texting on smartphones, playing games on smartphones
and generally just engaged with various apps on smartphones. Researchers were interested in learning more about any
increased risk and progression of pediatric dry eye disease that might be
associated with smartphone use. Not unexpected was the conclusion that
increased VDT use such as smartphones or computers in children was found to be
associated with the occurrence of ocular surface symptoms of dryness and
fatigue. Also somewhat expected was the clinical finding that the longer the
kids used the smartphones the greater the symptoms and disturbance of the eyes’
surface. The authors then suggested being aware of excessive smartphone use in
kids and educating them as to reducing their use of smartphones if they become
troubled by eye fatigue or dryness symptoms.
If
you have kids that are heavy users of smartphones or iPads or tablets of any
type and they complain about dry eyes, grittiness, sandiness or have red
burning eyes and even eye fatigue, please be aware that the VDT may be having a
negative impact on the child and schedule an appointment so that we be sure
there are no other eye problems. Please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center
at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an
appointment.
The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located
at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard,
Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New
Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central
and northern New Jersey.
