Is your child hooked to mobile? High time to wean off the child from this bad habit

Kathmandu – Do you think children's using mobile (smart) phone is the trend of time and you are allowing your children hooked to smart phone? 

If yes, be aware as overuse of mobile phones by children may cause various health complications, besides the obvious eye problems. It may cause dry, allergic and itchy eyes among children and may lead such problems to long-term. Over exposure to smart phones and devices like computers and tablets is not good for human health including eyes. 

According to Basant Poudel, ophthalmologist at BP Koirala Lions Center for Ophthalmic Studies, the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, recent findings show that excessive exposure to smart phones is one of the causes of increasing eye problem among children. It may cause dryness, itching and other sorts of allergic problems on eyes. 

He said reading of books and electronic texts from too close a distance, in dim light or wide light is also harmful for eyes. Children should be discouraged not to spend more time with such gadgets and be given proper guidance, he asserted. 

Meanwhile, around 400 patients (200 new and 200 follow-up) visit the center daily seeking services. Most of them are with cataract while the center frequently deals with cases of retinal tear and detachment (that can cause permanent vision loss if not treated on time). Diabetes and high blood pressure are other common causes of eye problems, according to Poudel. 

He urged one and all to compulsorily visit eye center in every six months to know the condition of eyes, significant organs of human body. Likewise, uptake of proper balanced diet and green vegetables would help keep eyes healthy. 

People over 45 years of age have more risk to having cataract than other people while chance of retinal tear and detachment is high in accident cases and physical injuries-causing incidents. 

One Suresh Ghimire from Ramechhap who was found in the center says eyesight keeps a great value in life and he regularly visits the eye center for checkup. 

People are urged to remain extra careful in summer as chances of eye allergy and infection is relatively high in this season. 
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