There are also cases where children's eyes complain due to prolonged “online fatigue” school closure 19:14 on June 20

Due to the prolonged suspension of school due to the new coronavirus, children are increasingly complaining of eye disorders by continuing to look at computers and smartphones in online classes for a long time. Ophthalmologists who treat these children have complained that the nation needs to show the form of online lessons that do not tire the eyes.

The Setagaya Ward Ophthalmologists Association in Tokyo conducted a questionnaire to its member doctors to see if the number of younger generation patients is increasing, and received 48 responses.

When asked if the number of patients from elementary school students to university students changed after the emergency declaration was lifted, 16 people, one-third, ``decreased'' due to the spread of infection etc. While it was “decreased rather”, more than 40% of the 20 people answered “increased” or “rather increased”.

When I asked multiple answers about the symptoms that the patient consulted, 16 people experienced eye fatigue and abnormalities due to long-term use of smartphones and playing games. I mentioned eye fatigue and abnormalities due to things such as, "Specifically, a 7-year-old child hurt his eyes by seeing a computer for 6 hours a day" or "If a college student was watching a lecture all day long, it hurt. I couldn't keep my eyes open."

Regarding the condition of children's eyes, the Japanese Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology and others issued an urgent recommendation in April this year, and warned them not to continue to use it for a long time while keeping a distance.

Many schools have been reopened, but in the future when the second wave of infection comes, online classes may increase again, and eye doctors need measures to protect children's eyes.

Dr. Yuri Nakayama, an ophthalmologist in Setagaya Ward, who has examined children's patients, said, "The more seriously a child continues to look at the screen, the more tired they are, and the more disappointed they are. The state needs to show the shape of online lessons, such as closing the room and taking time to look away and rest."

High school students who feel “tired online”

Noriko Miyamoto, a second-year high school student who attends a high school in Tokyo, has been closed since April and has been taking online classes delivered by the school at home.

Mr. Miyamoto began to use the computer for about 5 hours a day on average, including class production and submission. Mr. Miyamoto felt that there was the merit that he could study intensively by himself and there was no fear of infection due to movement, but about two weeks after the online class started, eye fatigue and pain began to come out. I say.

So, when I went to an ophthalmologist in the beginning of last month, my eyes became tired and became dull and blurred.In my eyesight test, I could see only 1.2 before wearing glasses, but only 0.8. is.

After that, Mr. Miyamoto used his computer only when he was studying, and by resting his eyes by looking at the foliage plants between classes, he said his eyestrain was alleviated.

Mr. Miyamoto started classes from this week to attend school, but there are online classes to avoid crowding the classroom, so he is careful not to tire his eyes.

Mr. Miyamoto said, “Because the online class started and I couldn't go out, I doubled the time I spent on the computer, so my eyes got tired. At first, I had lunch with my friends online. "Since my eyes hurt, I haven't touched the PC anymore except for classes. I want to take many classes to talk with everyone, and I want to take more physical education classes."

Expert "Moderate rest"

Takashi Shibata, a professor at Tokyo Welfare University, who is studying the use of information and communication technology in educational settings, said, "Myopia is known to occur in school-age and is easy to progress, and it takes a long time to keep looking close It is said that the continuation of time is related to myopia. It is important to give sufficient consideration to the use of PCs and tablet terminals for children in the process of growing, and it is important to take a proper break." I am.

According to Professor Shibata, as a concrete measure, there is a rule in the United States that after looking at the screen for 20 minutes, you look at an object 20 feet away, about 6 meters or more, for 20 seconds.

He added, "It is important to set a break, such as every 15 minutes, so that you do not create a situation where you keep watching the screen throughout the lesson, and keep a little eye on the screen."