Screens are everywhere in our lives, and a new study suggests they might be harming our eyes. Published in JAMA Network Open, the research found that spending too much time looking at screens could increase the risk of myopia, or nearsightedness. Myopia makes distant objects look blurry while close ones remain clear.
The study analyzed 45 previous studies involving over 335,000 participants, mostly children with an average age of 9. It found that just one extra hour of screen time daily could raise the risk of myopia by 21%. The risk grew even more for people who used screens for one to four hours a day. For those using screens over four hours daily, the risk continued to rise but at a slower pace.
Americans already spend more than five hours a day on their phones, according to a recent survey. Experts have long warned about the effects of screen use on eye health, including digital eye strain, which can cause dry eyes, itching, and blurry vision.
The study’s authors hope their findings will help guide public health efforts. This is especially important as half the global population is expected to develop myopia by 2050. Dr. Laura Ann Goldberg, an ophthalmology professor at Johns Hopkins Medicine, said the study gives parents and doctors clear guidelines backed by science.
Can Screens Really Cause Myopia
Dr. Victoria Tseng, an ophthalmology expert at UCLA, explained that while many studies link screen time to myopia, the exact reason isn’t fully understood. One theory is that screens are held close to the eyes, which strains them. Activities like reading or watching TV up close—known as “near work”—have also been linked to myopia.
For example, a 2022 study found that children who did online schoolwork during the pandemic had faster myopia progression than those who didn’t. This might be due to issues with how the eye focuses on close objects, a process called “accommodation.”
Dr. Goldberg added that children often hold devices closer to their faces than books, which could worsen the problem. Artificial light from screens can also disrupt sleep and melatonin levels, potentially contributing to myopia.
While smartphones and tablets are often blamed, the study didn’t single out specific devices. However, past research suggests computers and TVs might pose a greater risk than phones.
Nearsightedness and Screens: More Than Just Blurry Vision
Myopia can be corrected with glasses or contacts, but it can also lead to other eye problems. Dr. Tseng warned that nearsightedness increases the risk of retinal tears, glaucoma, and misaligned eye muscles.
Screen use can cause other issues too, like glare sensitivity, headaches, and dry eye disease. Staring at screens reduces blinking, which dries out the eyes faster.
How to Reduce Myopia Risk
To lower the risk of myopia, experts recommend limiting screen time. The study suggests spending less than one hour a day on screens could be a safe threshold. This aligns with guidelines from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, which advises:
- No screen time for children under 18 months, except for video calls.
- Less than an hour a day for kids aged 18 to 24 months.
- One hour on weekdays and three hours on weekends for children aged 2 to 5.
- Encouraging healthy habits for kids aged 6 and up.
Dr. Tseng emphasized that reducing screen time is especially important for children, as their eyes are still developing. For adults who rely on screens for work, cutting back might not be realistic. Instead, they can follow tips like blinking often, using eye drops, and practicing the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
In short, while screens are hard to avoid, being mindful of how much time we spend on them could help protect our eyes in the long run.
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