Stating that children spend more time at computers during the midterm break, Denizli Özel Egekent Hospital Eye Diseases Specialist Op. Dr. İbrahim Çıplak explained that Generation Z experiences complaints such as dryness, irritation, eye pain, blurred vision, eye redness, and headaches while using computers, smartphones, and other digital devices.
Drawing attention to computer and screen-related eye strain syndrome that may occur during the midterm holiday, Op. Dr. İbrahim Çıplak said: “Computer and screen eye strain syndrome arises because our eyes and brain react differently to characters on a computer screen compared to characters on paper. Our eyes have very little difficulty focusing on material with well-defined boundaries on paper, but characters on a computer screen do not have the same degree of contrast and clarity.”
Noting that the increased time children spend in front of screens poses a significant risk for the development and progression of nearsightedness (myopia), Specialist Dr. İbrahim Çıplak stated: “For children, using computers or digital screens for more than 2 hours a day can have the same effect as looking at the sun with the naked eye for 3 hours. To protect eye health, the top edge of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level, the screen-eye distance should be 45–60 centimeters, and children should rest during the midterm break by staying away from screens as much as possible.”