With the advent of smartphones and tablets, video games have become even more accessible to children than before. Of course, you cannot keep your child from something they enjoy. However, it is important to understand the impact of video games on the eyes and reduce eye strain.

Impact of Video games on eyes

Constantly staring at a screen with moving graphics can put a lot of strain on the eyes. It can lead to blurry vision, headaches, fatigue, and even eye pain. This is primarily because when you’re looking at a screen with moving graphics, your eyes keep on shifting focus to keep up with the game and its movements. This makes the eyes feel tired much faster than, say, reading a book.

Can video games cause permanent damage to the eyes?

All the problems with eyesight related to playing video games for too long are not permanent. However, vision changes can be permanent. Playing video games for an extended period can cause blurry vision and eventually strain the eyes to the point where the child develops myopia. In this case, the changes to the eye would be permanent.

How much screen time is too much?

Ideally, no one should use devices for more than 2 hours a day. However, we live in a world where we are highly dependent on technology, which is not always feasible. To help protect your child’s eyesight, it is essential to make them take 5-minute breaks after every 20 minutes. This can allow the eyes to rest while the child also gets to play the game.

You can also consider getting laptops with special display features targeted toward reducing eye strain if your child’s choice of gaming requires a computer. There are many smartphones and tablets in the market these days that also offer such features.

About the author– Prof. Dr. Mahipal S Sachdev, Chairman and Medical Director, Center for Sight, New Delhi