Kids could suffer from long-term eye issues from being glued to a screen

Kids could suffer from long-term eye health problems, as 36 per cent spend more than five hours-a-day glued to screens over the school summer holidays.
A study of 1,500 parents found four in 10 were completely unaware extended periods using gadgets, such as tablets or phones, can be a leading cause for eye problems, like myopia – commonly known as short-sightedness.
And only 21 per cent feel particularly worried about overuse of screens and the potential damage they can do.
It also emerged that despite experts warning eye tests are essential to help lower the risk of long-term eye health problems, 31 per cent of parents have NEVER had their children’s eyes checked.
And 38 per cent don’t know the signs or symptoms they should be looking out for if their little one was to have myopia.
While 42 per cent were not aware the condition is irreversible or incurable.
Summer holidays increase eye health concerns
Matt Oerding, founder of the Global Myopia Awareness Coalition, an organisation challenging parents to reduce their screen time this Bank Holiday weekend, said: “By 2050, 50 per cent of the global population are expected to have myopia and we are already experiencing a surge in myopia in children.
“Certain activities can contribute to the progression of myopia, such as increased screen-time, and we know that in the school summer holidays, children may spend a lot of their days off watching TV or playing on devices.
“To support the future of children’s long-term eye health, we want to encourage parents to get their children taking part in ‘sight saving’ activities and screen-free swaps this Bank Holiday weekend.
“Just 76 extra minutes outside a day can reduce the risk of myopia by 50 per cent – so let’s start now.”
Some parents have never booked an eye test for their children
The study also found 13 per cent