What is visual fatigue syndrome and how does it affect boys

“They are already part of our daily lives and that of our children. We are forced to live with them, especially in the School period, since at this time, to the new forms of digital leisure is added the widespread use of electronic devices for read textbooks, especially tablets or e-readers, ”said ophthalmologist Marta Galdós Iztueta to a specialized European media.

Regarding the consequences of looking at a screen for too long, he explained: “It is that when you are facing a screen, blinks less, so that the eyes, which must be well moistened with the tear, dry more easily, which causes irritation on the surface of the eyes and causes discomfort, itching, stinging, red eyes or headaches. ”

Some boys may be more susceptible to these effects of digital fatigue syndrome, as, for example, those who may have allergic reactions, or have worse quality or quantity of tear. Likewise, children with “associated refractive errors”, that is, with visual problems such as farsightedness, myopia, or astigmatism, are more likely to present problems arising from intensive exposure to digital screens.

"If the school also has a refractive defect not detected how can it be a farsightedness moderate, the continued use of screens will require excessive effort that can increase the symptomatology. On the other hand, if our son has myopia, the use of the screens does not correlate with a greater progression of it, so we can be calm, ”said the specialist.

Watch out for the shine

Another factor involved in the onset of digital fatigue syndrome is the existence of a excessive or insufficient brightness on the screen. In this sense, Galdós Iztueta commented that the fatigue of the eyes is accentuated if it is exposed to an excessive amount of brightness of the screen, especially if the ambient light is insufficient, since the screen constitutes a constant focus of light on the eyes and higher than necessary. On the contrary, if the brightness is insufficient, and especially if the screen is very small, it will require excessive effort, causing greater eye fatigue in the minor.

In order to reduce the risk of suffering from the syndrome, the expert recommends:

– perform routine eye exams in childhood, especially if there is a family history;

– moderate the time of excessive use of screens;

– every 20 minutes of working closely before a screen take a break of 20 seconds, blink and look away, preferably at a distance greater than 6 meters;

– and control the brightness of the screen, the ambient lighting and the size of the device.

"Our adequate reading distance is from 33 centimeters from the eyes. It is advisable to use a screen with an appropriate size. The use of the smartphone as a study, work tool or video game screen must also be minimized, as it is too small a screen. Likewise, the indiscriminate use of the cell phone to watch series should be avoided, "concluded the doctor.