Every hour of screen time raises risk of vision loss in children: Study

Researchers have found that increased screen time among young people is linked to a higher risk of myopia, prompting experts to recommend limiting device usage and encouraging outdoor activities. Myopia, which results from an over-elongated eyeball, is becoming increasingly prevalent, with studies predicting that about 40% of children and adolescents worldwide could develop the condition by 2050.

While genetics play a role in determining susceptibility to myopia, additional risk factors such as insufficient outdoor exposure and prolonged focus on nearby objects have been identified, making screen time a significant concern.

A recent analysis conducted by Korean researchers examined 45 studies involving 335,524 participants and highlighted the relationship between digital device usage and short-sightedness. The findings revealed that each additional hour of daily screen time was associated with a 21% increase in the likelihood of developing myopia, with risks escalating as screen exposure lengthened.

For individuals already affected by myopia, an extra hour of screen use per day was linked to a 54% higher probability of further worsening eyesight.

The study showed that the odds of developing myopia increased progressively, with a 5% rise for one hour of daily screen exposure compared to no usage and a 97% increase for four hours.

However, beyond this threshold, the rate of increase slowed, while screen use below one hour per day did not show a clear correlation with myopia, suggesting the existence of a potential safety limit.

Despite these findings, researchers acknowledged certain limitations in their study, including reliance on self-reported myopia data, challenges in accurately measuring screen time, and the exclusion of other close-up activities that might influence the risk.

Although the study did not establish direct causation between screen time and myopia, experts suggested that indoor screen use reduces exposure to the protective effects of outdoor environments, contributing to the increasing prevalence of the condition.

The research adds to growing evidence that prolonged screen time combined with limited outdoor activities is detrimental to children’s eye health. Experts warn that worsening myopia heightens the risk of severe vision impairments, underscoring the importance of preventive measures to mitigate its long-term impact.