Issue 6/2023
Marinova, S. DKC-1 – Shumen; Department of Eye Diseases and Visual Sciences at the
Medical University „Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov“ – Varna
Screens are an invariable part of the daily life of modern children and adolescents. Excessive screen use, however, poses risks for children‘s visual function and normal psychomotor development. Asthenopia, dry eye syndrome and spasm of accommodation are among the most common disorders in children with excessive screen time. According to numerous scientific studies, one of the factors in the development of childhood myopia can be the excessive use of digital devices. Screen time can also negatively affect children‘s cognitive development, depriving them of time for social contact and verbal communication. There is a risk of impaired development of motor function and obesity. Blue light from screens affects normal circadian rhythms and can cause insomnia in children and adolescents. It is possible for children to avoid all these risks by following some basic rules and recommendations related to screen use. They are related not only to the duration of screen time, but also to the posture of the child, the location of the screen, the conditions of the environment. It is the responsibility of parents and health professionals to educate children about the potential dangers associated with prolonged use of digital devices and ways to avoid them.
Address for correspondence:
Slavyana Dimitrova Malcheva-Marinova
108, „Tsar Osvoboditel“, Str.
9700, Shumen
phone: 0897 930 996
e-mail: slmarinova@abv.bg