Bhubaneswar: Parents go extra mile to save kids from eye strain

BHUBANESWAR: With schools opting for remote learning because of the coronavirus, parents have been taking extra care of their children to ensure that they do not suffer from eye strain and fatigue due to the increased use of devices and prolonged sitting.
The mother of nine-year-old Mohita Mohan noticed that her daughter’s eyes were watering and paining. Mohita was also having frequent headaches, fatigue and ear pain.
It prompted her mother, Jhuna Pattnaik, to ensure that the child’s study room was well lit. Jhuna also regulated her daughter’s time of using gadgets and earphones.
While studying on a laptop or cellphone, children often crane their neck to view home tasks. It causes body ache.
“I massage her eyes with ice cubes and aloe vera pulp everyday. I make sure she does yoga to alleviate the strain and ache. I also give her a body massage,” the mother said. Besides long study hours, children can’t spend time with friends or play outdoor games.
Similarly, five-year-old Avnita Shekhar’s parents have altered her study set up at home. They have connected her laptop with a television, which is 6ft to 7ft away from Avnita’s seat.
Amita Singh, a real estate businesswoman, makes her children drink carrot juice every day. She applies cooling pads on their eyes for 30 minutes and has cut down on their screen time. She has regulated their online gaming time too.
Yoga expert Narayan Nanda suggested that children should start doing surya namaskar early in life because it improves strength, stamina and suppleness.
This apart, conscious blinking of eyes, candle-viewing exercise, distance gazing and other specific yogas strengthen the muscles around the eyes and reduce refractive errors.
Dr P K Mohanty, director of Lions Eye Hospital in Bhubaneswar, suggested the 20-20-20 rule to prevent dry eyes. After 20 minutes of screen time, a child should shut his/her eyes for 20 seconds and then, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds, he said.
Doctors have also suggested reducing screen time, taking a break of five to 10 minutes every 30 minutes, moving the eyes around the room and keeping the laptop or desktop at the proper level.
“Often while using gadgets, children don’t blink. Parents have to ensure that the children blink frequently as it keeps their eyes moist. It should be made a habit. Children should have a maximum of three hours screen time a day,” Dr Sasmita Agasty, eye consultant at Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar, said.

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