Recent studies have highlighted a growing concern regarding how screens affect children’s health, particularly their eyesight. Research has shown that each additional hour children spend on digital devices significantly increases their risk of developing myopia, or nearsightedness. This condition, caused by an elongated eyeball, is becoming more common worldwide, with an alarming projection that nearly 40% of children and adolescents could be affected by 2050. Experts are calling for urgent action, urging both parents and educators to limit screen time for young children and encourage more outdoor activities.
Myopia is a refractive error that occurs when the eye is unable to focus on distant objects clearly, often leading to blurry vision. While genetics plays a role in the development of myopia, environmental factors are believed to contribute significantly to its increasing prevalence. One key factor that experts agree is linked to the rise in myopia is increased screen time, particularly the excessive use of smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices. The growing reliance on screens for entertainment, learning, and communication is contributing to children’s reduced time outdoors and more time spent focusing on nearby objects—an activity known to strain the eyes.
A comprehensive study conducted by researchers in Korea analyzed data from 45 studies, involving over 335,000 participants, to better understand the relationship between screen time and myopia. The results of this analysis revealed that each additional hour spent on digital devices was associated with a 21% increase in the likelihood of children developing myopia. This finding is concerning, as it emphasizes how the modern digital age may be accelerating the onset of this vision problem.
According to the findings, the risk of myopia escalates with the amount of screen time. For example, children who spent an hour a day on screens had an 18% higher chance of developing myopia, while those who spent four hours or more a day had a 27% higher chance. The study also revealed a more alarming statistic: children who already suffered from myopia experienced a 54% higher likelihood of their condition worsening for each additional hour of screen time.
This data underscores how screens affect children’s vision, especially as the research found that screen time beyond a certain threshold—specifically four hours a day—was strongly associated with increased odds of developing myopia. While screen time under an hour a day did not show a significant impact on myopia, the study suggests that a “safety threshold” exists, offering some protection when screen exposure is minimal. This threshold, however, requires further investigation, as the researchers caution that the full effects of screen time on myopia may not yet be fully understood.
Experts such as Professor Chris Hammond, a consultant ophthalmologist at King’s College London, have supported the findings of the study, noting that the increased prevalence of myopia among children in the UK (about 15% in 12-13-year-olds) aligns with the study’s results. He emphasized that the findings should encourage parents and caregivers to monitor screen use more closely and ensure children spend more time outdoors, particularly in natural environments where the eyes are naturally less stressed by close-up focusing.
While the correlation between screen time and myopia is becoming clearer, the study also acknowledged some limitations. For instance, some of the data relied on self-reported diagnoses of myopia, and the study did not account for other activities that may contribute to eye strain, such as reading or doing homework. Moreover, measuring screen time accurately can be difficult, and the researchers emphasized that their findings do not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
Additionally, the researchers proposed that the indoor nature of screen use might contribute to the risk of myopia, as children spend less time exposed to natural light, which has been shown to have a protective effect on the eyes. Professor Hammond agreed with this perspective, noting that the interaction between environmental factors and myopia risk is complex. The COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many children indoors for extended periods, has further illuminated how the combination of screen time and lack of outdoor exposure may be contributing to the surge in myopia cases.
Professor Rupert Bourne, an ophthalmic surgeon at Anglia Ruskin University, praised the study’s findings, highlighting the growing concern that worsening myopia could increase the risk of more severe eye conditions, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts, later in life. With myopia rates rising globally, Bourne stressed that the research could guide public health strategies aimed at addressing what some experts refer to as the “myopia epidemic.”
The relationship between screen time and myopia in children is increasingly well-documented, and the message is clear: spending long hours on screens significantly affects children’s eyesight. Experts suggest that limiting screen time and encouraging outdoor activities can be crucial in mitigating the risk of myopia. Parents and guardians are urged to monitor screen usage and ensure their children balance their time between digital devices and outdoor play to promote healthier vision in the long run.
The rise of digital screens is not only changing how children interact with the world but is also contributing to the growing myopia epidemic. Although the exact role of screen time in myopia development requires more research, the current data is a strong indication of the need for preventative measures. As the study and expert opinions suggest, it is essential that parents, educators, and policymakers work together to create strategies that balance the use of technology with the health of children’s eyes.
