Excessive screen time has become a major concern for parents as smartphones, tablets, and digital devices become a central part of daily life. While digital tools offer convenience and learning opportunities, they can also impact eye health. Screen time can contribute to myopia or nearsightedness.
Children’s eye exams are crucial to diagnose myopia early. Treatment and management can help preserve vision in children and protect them from eye diseases later in life.
What Is Myopia?
Myopia is a vision condition where distant objects appear blurry while nearby objects remain clear. Myopia happens when the shape of the eye causes light rays to bend incorrectly when it enters the eye. A too-long eyeball or steeply curved cornea causes light to focus in front of the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye) instead of on it, resulting in blurry distance vision.
Children aren’t aware of what normal vision looks like and may assume that everyone sees as they do. Parents can watch for the following symptoms of myopia:
- Eyestrain
- Squinting to see things at a distance
- Headaches
- Difficulty seeing the board at school
Myopia Risk Factors?
Myopia can develop due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. While having a family history of myopia increases a person’s likelihood of developing it, lifestyle habits—such as prolonged near-work activities (like reading or using screens), poor lighting, and lack of outdoor exposure—are believed to play a role as well.
Myopia in Children & Adults
Children are particularly vulnerable to developing myopia because their eyes are still growing. Environmental factors, such as lack of time spent outdoors and increased screen use, have been linked to rising cases of myopia in youth. Adults, on the other hand, might experience digital eye strain or worsening myopia due to long hours of screen time at work or for leisure.
The Link Between Screen Time & Myopia
Studies suggest that computer use and screen time from playing video games or watching TV, especially among children, is associated with an increased risk of developing myopia during the school years.
Young kids may not realize the strain they are putting on their eyes, leading to excessive screen use without breaks. Focusing on screens up close for extended periods strains the eyes and may impact normal eye growth in children.
Myopia Treatment Options
There are various treatment options available to help manage myopia in children and adults.
Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses are the most common and effective way to correct myopia. They work by compensating for the shape of the eye, allowing light rays to focus correctly on the retina.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses can also be used to correct myopia. They offer a more natural field of vision, unlike eyeglasses, and have options for children to prevent myopia progression.
Practical Tips for Managing Screen Time
Parents and individuals can take proactive steps in managing their screen use. Here are some practical tips to help reduce the risk of myopia and promote overall eye health.
Balancing Screen Time with Outdoor Activities
One of the most protective measures against myopia is outdoor activity. Natural light exposure and opportunities to focus on objects at varying distances help promote healthy eye development. Encouraging activities like sports or playing outside can counterbalance time spent on devices. One hour of outdoor time per day could reduce myopia in children by 45%.
Set Limits on Daily Screen Time
Monitor and create screen time boundaries for your family. Use tools like screen time trackers or apps to help maintain healthy usage levels. For younger children, aim for no more than one hour of recreational screen time daily.
Take Regular Breaks
A simple yet effective rule can reduce eye strain during screen time. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. Encourage your children to follow this routine to build healthy habits.
Create Tech-Free Zones at Home
Set up areas in your home where screens are not allowed, like during family mealtime or in bedrooms. This also encourages other hobbies or activities that don’t rely on screens, such as crafts, sports, or board games.
Parents often feel guilty about their kids’ screen time because it seems unavoidable in a tech-centric society. The goal is to balance screen activities and other healthful habits like outdoor play and regular breaks and schedule regular eye exams to monitor eye health.
Protect Your Family’s Eye Health
Managing screen time can help avoid eye strain and contribute to long-term eye health, especially for children. By balancing screen usage with outdoor activities and fostering healthy habits, you can help minimize the risk of developing myopia in children and prevent it from progressing.Routine exams can catch early signs of vision problems and make sure the right corrective measures are in place. Book an appointment with Pinehouse Eyecare today to protect your family’s eye health.
