Children's reading and writing abilities may be harmed by too much television and computer games, according to new research from the American Optometric Association.
Reported in the Daily Express, the findings suggest that watching images on a flat screen for long periods can impede the development of a child's vision, leading to problems with myopia and shifting focus. Poor vision can in turn affect reading and writing capabilities. Report authors also suggest that uncorrected vision can lead to behavioural problems.
AOA spokesperson Professor Andrea Thau said children needed appropriate visual stimulation for their vision to develop normally. 'Parents should limit television and computer games, especially in children under six whose sight is still developing,' she said.
UK experts have expressed similar concerns. Keith Holland, who specialises in children's eye problems, claims that he has also noticed a worrying increase in eye conditions linked to watching flat screens. His team has examined around 12,500 children's eyes in the past decade and reports an alarming increase in problems linked to such exposure.
According to Holland, humans are not designed to look at flat screens for long periods and as a result, visual skills are being damaged. He recalled the case of a 10-year-old who had the focusing ability of a 50-year-old.
'Computer games and long periods watching television are unnatural and we are sure this is a factor,' he said.
In a separate study carried out by Holland and his team, 18 of 21 people expelled from a school had undiagnosed sight problems.