Many children would develop the dry eye syndrome which mainly struck adults. Exposure to screens would be an aggravating factor.
Even with all the good resolutions in the world, it is very difficult today to ensure that children are never exposed to screens. Indeed, tablets, smartphones or portable consoles are everywhere. While many studies detail the harmful effects of too much exposure to screens on the cognitive development of children, the latter can also have visible physical repercussions.
More and more children are now affected by dry eye syndrome.
Dry eye normally reserved for adults
Several eye medicine specialists were alerted to the situation in the columns du Daily Mail. Dr. Sarah Farrant, optometrist and dry eye specialist, has noticed that more and more children are consulting her for a burning sensation in the eyes, as if constantly cutting onions.
A typical symptom of dry eye, a disease that usually affects people over the age of 40.
Aggravating factor screens
Until now, cases of children showing these symptoms were rather rare, even non-existent 15 years ago. Sarah Ferrant did not look very far to understand where this increase in dry eye cases came from, directly attributing it to increasingly younger and longer exposure to screens over the day. The health crisis would not have helped in this direction.
This feeling would have to be confirmed by a long-term study, because the specialist believes that other factors, such as the use of make-up, might also promote the onset of the disease.
A disease that can become serious
The situation is not to be taken lightly, as dry eyes can cause irreversible damage to the eyes. The lacrimal glands can be permanently altered, which can have a considerable impact on the patient’s daily living comfort.
Specialists are now calling for further studies to find out whether or not the increase in cases of dry eye in young people is attributable to screens and thus, strengthen awareness-raising policies on the subject.
