Three-Year-Old Boy in Thailand Develops Lazy Eye After Excessive Mobile Phone Use
A three-year-old boy in Thailand was diagnosed with amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, after reportedly spending prolonged periods staring at a smartphone screen. The case was shared by his mother, Fai Asiwan, who posted photos of her son’s eye surgery on Facebook, sparking widespread concern among parents.
The mother revealed that her son had no eye issues at birth, but began developing symptoms after he frequently fixated on digital screens. When she noticed that his condition did not improve naturally and required professional intervention, she decided to seek medical help at Chiang Mai University Hospital.
Doctors diagnosed the boy with refractive errors and lazy eye, conditions often linked to extended screen exposure in young children. The boy underwent a one-day corrective eye surgery, after which he was advised to avoid getting water into his eyes and refrain from rubbing them for a week to allow proper healing.
High Costs of Treatment Highlight Need for Prevention
The surgery cost around 100,000 Thai baht (approximately S$3,680), which the mother noted could have been spent on meaningful family activities like travelling, instead of paying for medical intervention. She urged fellow parents to limit their children’s screen time, emphasising that in today’s digital age, eye conditions like lazy eye are becoming increasingly common in younger children.
The mother’s heartfelt message resonated with many online, warning that what was once considered a condition affecting mostly older children or adults is now a real risk even for toddlers. She stressed that prevention through responsible screen time management is far more effective and less traumatic than having a child undergo surgery.
Digital Eye Strain in Kids Becoming a Growing Concern
Health experts have long warned about the dangers of digital eye strain, especially in children under the age of six, whose visual systems are still developing. Prolonged exposure to smartphones, tablets, and other devices can cause myopia (short-sightedness), refractive errors, and in some cases, amblyopia, which may require surgery if left untreated.