Ayurvedic Remedies to Alleviate Digital Eye Strain in Children: Prevention and Care Tips

In today’s digital age, extended screen exposure has become a common source of eye strain. Digital screens often have reduced contrast and increased glare, forcing the eyes to work harder. Unlike traditional books, screens are closer and offer less ideal viewing angles, leading to headaches, blurry vision, and difficulties focusing.

According to the American Optometric Association, digital screens increase eye strain due to their lower contrast and potential glare, which makes text harder to read compared to print materials. These factors, combined with varying screen distances and angles, can exacerbate symptoms of computer vision syndrome (CVS) or digital eye strain.

Children are particularly vulnerable as they are introduced to screens at a young age. Prolonged screen use increases the risk of digital eye strain among kids. Dr. Mandeep Singh Basu, Director at Dr. Basu Eye Hospital and Jagat Pharma, emphasizes the importance of managing screen time: “Children aged 3-4 should have no more than one hour of screen time per day, while those over 4 should be limited to two hours daily.”

To alleviate digital eye strain, Ayurvedic remedies offer natural and effective solutions. Dr. Basu shares several tips:

1. Triphala Eye Wash Triphala, a traditional Ayurvedic herbal remedy, can be used as an eye wash. Mix one teaspoon of Triphala powder in a cup of water, let it infuse overnight, then strain and use the liquid to wash the eyes in the morning.

2. Antioxidant-Rich Foods Incorporate foods high in antioxidants into your child’s diet, such as amla (Indian gooseberry), turmeric, and green leafy vegetables. These help protect the eyes from oxidative stress and inflammation.

3. Ghee Massage Massage the temples and around the eyes with warm ghee (clarified butter) to relax and soothe the eye muscles. Consuming ghee also supports overall eye health.

4. Balanced Diet A diet rich in Vitamin A, found in carrots, spinach, and sweet potatoes, is essential for maintaining eye health. Ensure your child’s diet includes these vital nutrients.

5. Palming Technique Encourage children to take regular breaks from screens and practice palming. By rubbing their palms together to generate warmth and placing them over closed eyes for a few minutes, they can help relax their eye muscles.

6. Adjust Screen Settings Optimize screen settings to reduce eye strain. Adjust the brightness to match room lighting, use black text on a white background, and set the screen color temperature to warmer tones to minimize blue light exposure.

7. Maintain Safe Distance Teach children to keep a distance of at least 18-24 inches from screens to reduce eye strain. Ensure they follow this guideline during screen use.

8. Blinking Exercises Remind children to blink frequently while using digital devices. Blinking helps keep the eyes moist and reduces dryness.

9. Proper Sleep Ensure that children get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Adequate rest is crucial for eye health and overall well-being.

10. Outdoor Play Encourage outdoor activities and family time without digital gadgets. Outdoor play helps reduce screen fatigue and promotes physical health.

11. Avoid Digital Reading Where possible, encourage children to use printed materials instead of digital devices for reading and studying. This break from screens helps alleviate eye strain.

By incorporating these Ayurvedic remedies and prevention tips, you can help mitigate the effects of digital eye strain and support your child’s eye health.