Stating that the age of screen use is also decreasing, Atilla said, “Tablets have started to be used in schools to prepare homework and follow lessons. We are at a stage where it is impossible to prevent it. Some families give their children phones and tablets so that they can eat. As a result, the age of screen use is also decreasing.”

Atilla emphasized that they divide the incidence of diseases into two periods as childhood and adulthood, and said, “Looking at the screen closely in childhood, especially at night when the lights are off, increases myopia. Working close to the screen disrupts the clear image in the eye, which causes an increase in myopia cases. Looking close for a long time in children, especially if there is an underlying need for glasses and if not corrected, can trigger eye squint, that is, strabismus. The use of tablets and phones, which increased during the Covid-19 period and were used extensively to pass time, caused an increase in inward squinting in online lessons. We started to see dry eyes in children at an early age. The incidence of dry eye disease is increasing in the whole society. The most important reason for this is the wrong use of tablets, phones and computers where we look at the illuminated surface.”

Atilla stated that looking at the screen for a long time or from a close distance also causes an increase in the cases of squint.

Atilla pointed out that people blink less to avoid distraction while reading something on tablets or phones, and reported that not blinking frequently disrupts tear distribution.

Atilla recommended looking at the screen from an appropriate distance, saying, “Dry eyes cause complaints of stinging, burning, and blurred vision. While it used to be a problem of older adults, we have now started to see complaints of dry eyes such as blinking, tics, burning, and stinging in young children. In fact, dry eyes have dropped to the age of 6-7. It is important to diagnose and treat the condition early before it progresses. It is beneficial to be careful.”