Excessive Screen time: A Silent Crisis for Pakistani Children

With digital devices becoming an absolute necessity of our everyday lives. Healthcare professionals across Pakistan warn of a rapidly growing yet alarmingly unnoticed issue: “Screen Induced visual damage among children.” Eye care centers in major cities report a rise in the number of young patients with headaches, dry eyes, blurred vision, and difficulty focusing, all of which are related directly to excessive screen exposure.

With online classes, games, and social media moving online, our lives are now majorly dependent upon these devices. Children as young as four spend a major part of their day staring at small screens. According to Healthcare professionals, smartphones due to their close viewing distance, pose the highest risk.

These concerns are backed by International studies. The American Optometric Association (AOA) has identified that children in particular are vulnerable to Computer Vision Syndrome. The World Health Organization (WHO) also warns that as a consequence of the excessive screen time, Eyes health and cognitive development are severely affected. Pakistani ophthalmologists also suggest that the shift towards online learning during the COVID -19 pandemic has led to an increase in screen related eye strain in children.

Despite mounting evidence, Pakistan still lacks national guidelines for safe screen usage. Parents are still unaware of preventive measures such as the 20-20-20 rule.

Doctors fear that if unaddressed it may contribute to early myopia. Without proper action, Pakistan is at the run of raising a generation with preventable visual impairment.