Toys that Affect Babies' and Toddlers' Eye Health?!

Older friends might remember this nostalgic infant toy. It's a wind-up crib mobile that doesn't require electricity, made of colorful plastic pieces that rotate and make jingling sounds when wound up. In the past, parents would hang this toy above cribs to attract their babies' attention, making it a very popular toy for soothing infants. Manufacturers would then produce a series of similar products based on this blueprint to meet market demand. Unfortunately, over a decade ago, ophthalmologists began to discover that these crib mobiles might cause conditions like crossed eyes and strabismus in children.

Most babies are born with slightly shorter eyeballs than adults, meaning they have "farsightedness." If a toy is placed too close, the baby has to strain their eyes to see it, and prolonged staring at the same spot can affect eye health. Parents are advised to hang toys at various angles around the baby's crib and not directly above the baby.

Additionally, the sleeping environment also affects the development of a child's eyes. If sleeping with the lights off, the eyes can rest normally; if sleeping with the lights on, even with eyes closed, light can still enter the eyeball and continuously stimulate the retinal tissues, increasing the risk of myopia. Moreover, light can affect melatonin secretion, hindering the body from entering deep sleep and impacting sleep quality. However, since young babies may need care in the middle of the night, completely turning off the lights poses certain dangers. Therefore, parents are advised to use a small sensor light near the foot of the wall to facilitate adult care.

Although there is no confirmed direct disease-causing effect of electronic products on eyes, even normal adults experience eye discomfort after prolonged use. Therefore, the ophthalmological community has reached a consensus: "Infants under two years old are absolutely not allowed to play with mobile phones!" Finally, it is important to note that since the eyes are not isolated organs, eye diseases or other bodily illnesses can also affect vision.

Source: Hong Kong Society of Health Care