Question : ADVERSE EFFECTS OF COMPUTER USE ON CHILDREN S VISION

(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to certain reports which suggest that extensive viewing of the computer screen and mobile games can lead to eye discomfort, fatigue, headaches, blurred vision and other eye related problems including myopia among the children;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) the estimated number of children having weak eye sight and other eye related problems due to excess use of computer and mobile games in the country; and

(d) the corrective measures taken/proposed by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a)to(d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 298 FOR 31ST AUGUST, 2012

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the nodal agency of the Government of India in the field of medical research, is not aware of any specific report on adverse effect of computer use on children’s vision in India. No specific study has been made by the Indian Council of Medical Research in this regard.

However, according to certain reports published in United States of America, studies have found that majority of the computer workers experience some eye or vision symptoms. It is unclear whether these problems occur to a greater extent in computer workers than in workers in the other highly visually demanding occupations. According to the American Optometric Association, a national survey of doctors of optometry found that more than 14% of their patients present with eye or vision-related symptoms resulting from computer work. Most common symptoms are eye strain, headaches, blurred vision and neck or shoulder pain.

No data is maintained in ICMR or Department of Health Research regarding estimated number of children having eye related problem due to excess use of computers and mobile games.