With More Free Time, Students Face Visual Health Challenges

During their summer break, Mexican students face increased screen time and disrupted routines, prompting health experts to highlight the importance of maintaining visual health through proper hydration, balanced nutrition, and regular eye care, according to Laboratorios Grin. 

With summer break underway, over 24 million primary school students in Mexico gain extra free time, which can lead to changes in daily habits such as increased consumption of junk food, irregular sleep schedules, and prolonged use of electronic devices like tablets, smartphones, and video games. 

Data from INEGI indicates that children aged six to 11 spend between 2.2 and 2.7 hours online daily, while teenagers aged 12 to 17 spend about 4.7 hours daily. A study by Lingokids also reveals that 44.9% of Mexican children use technological devices more frequently during summer than during the rest of the year.

This additional free time, while offering opportunities for recreation, also poses risks to visual health. To mitigate these risks, implementing preventive measures is essential for parents to safeguard their children’s vision during the break.

Changes in routine can affect health if proper precautions are not taken. To protect visual health, it is crucial to keep the eyes hydrated, particularly in dry or air-conditioned environments, says Juan Manuel Cardoso, Medical Director, Laboratorios Grin. Applying the "20-20-20 rule" can also be beneficial. This involves taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away.

Cardoso also suggests consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables such as carrots, spinach, oranges, and peppers. These foods are high in vitamin A, which helps keep the eyes moist, and vitamin C, which contains antioxidants vital for maintaining a healthy eye structure. Fish such as salmon and tuna are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, supporting retinal health and tear function. Nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds are sources of vitamin E, which protects the eyes from damage caused by free radicals, he adds.