Page contents
- Are screens harmful to children’s eyes?
- The link with myopia in children
- How much screen time is reasonable at each age?
- Practical rules for home
- Schoolwork and screens: how to organise it properly
- What can be done if myopia is progressing?
- When to see an ophthalmologist
- Frequently Asked Questions about Children and Screens
Children and screens are not necessarily a bad combination, but long hours of close-up work and little time outdoors are linked to a higher risk of myopia. Protecting your child’s eyesight rests on three things: limits on screen time, outdoor play every day and regular eye examinations.
Are screens harmful to children’s eyes?
Screens do not “burn” the eyes or cause permanent damage to the retina. What affects vision is the way they are used: many hours in a row, a very short distance from the eyes and time taken away from playing outside. When a child looks at a phone held 20 to 25 centimetres away for hours, the eye is constantly focusing up close, which appears to encourage the onset and progression of myopia.
There are also more immediate, temporary complaints. In front of a screen, children blink less, so their eyes become dry, sting or turn red. Tiredness, headaches or blurred vision after long use are also common. You can read more about digital eye strain in our article on how long hours of screen use affect the eyes.
The link with myopia in children
Myopia (short-sightedness) in children has been rising steadily around the world over recent decades, and this trend is largely linked to lifestyle. Myopia usually appears at school age, when the eyeball grows longer than it should, and it tends to increase until the end of adolescence.
The factors that seem to play a role are:
- Heredity: when one or both parents are short-sighted, the likelihood for the child is higher.
- A lot of close-up work: reading, phones, tablets and video games, especially at a short distance and without breaks.
- Little time outdoors: natural light and focusing into the distance appear to have a protective role.
- Onset at a young age: the earlier myopia appears, the more it usually progresses.
Progression matters for more than just glasses. High myopia in adult life increases the risk of retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, glaucoma and early cataract. Every dioptre we “save” in childhood counts.
How much screen time is reasonable at each age?
Guidelines from the World Health Organization and paediatric societies differ in the details, but they agree on the general direction. The table gives indicative limits for recreational use, not for schoolwork.
| Age | What is usually recommended | What helps the eyes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2 years | Avoid screens, except for video calls with family | Play, movement, exploring their surroundings |
| 2 to 5 years | Up to about 1 hour a day, good quality content, together with a parent | A large screen at a distance rather than a phone in the hand |
| 6 to 12 years | Consistent, agreed limits that do not eat into sleep, exercise and outdoor play | Breaks every 20 to 30 minutes, at least 2 hours outdoors a day |
| Teenagers | A balance between school, screens, sleep and activities | Correct distance, good lighting, no screens in bed |
Practical rules for home
Distance and posture
An easy guide for children: the tablet or book should be at least as far from the eyes as the distance from the elbow to the knuckles. Choose the computer or television over the phone, because they are viewed from further away. Your child should sit on a supportive chair, not lie down.
Breaks with the 20-20-20 rule
Every 20 minutes, look at something far away, about 6 metres away, for 20 seconds. For younger children, a timer or a game helps, such as “find something red outside the window”.
Lighting and sleep
Avoid using screens in a dark room and switch devices off at least one hour before bedtime. Good sleep affects your child’s concentration and overall wellbeing.
Time outdoors every day
Time spent outdoors is perhaps the most effective measure available to parents. Studies show that around two hours a day outside is linked to a lower likelihood of developing myopia. Organised sport is not needed: a walk, the playground, cycling or playing in the garden are enough. In summer, do not forget a hat and sunglasses with certified UV protection.
Blue light glasses
There is not enough evidence that blue light from screens harms children’s eyes or that special filters prevent myopia. Breaks and distance help more.
Schoolwork and screens: how to organise it properly
More and more schoolwork is done on a computer or tablet, so screen time is not only entertainment. A few changes to the study area make a difference:
- A desk near a window, with light coming from the side and not from behind the screen.
- The screen slightly below eye level and about an arm’s length away.
- Screen brightness that matches the light in the room, without strong reflections.
- A larger font size, so that your child does not need to lean in.
- Alternating between screen and paper, with a short movement break between tasks.
If your child already wears glasses, make sure they wear them while studying too, unless the ophthalmologist has advised otherwise. If after a little reading they get tired, rub their eyes or lose their place on the line, there may be long-sightedness, astigmatism or a problem with how the two eyes work together, which do not always show up in a simple vision test at school.
What can be done if myopia is progressing?
When myopia increases quickly, the ophthalmologist may suggest methods of myopia control, depending on the child’s age and the findings. These include special spectacle lenses designed for children, special contact lenses and low-concentration eye drops. These methods do not make myopia disappear, but they can slow its progression. The choice is made on an individual basis and requires regular monitoring.
When to see an ophthalmologist
Many children do not complain, because they do not know what it is like to see clearly. A children’s eye examination is recommended at specific ages even without any symptoms. Book an appointment sooner if you notice that your child:
- holds the screen, television or book very close,
- squints to see into the distance or has difficulty reading the board in class,
- often rubs their eyes or complains of headaches,
- tilts their head or closes one eye,
- has an eye that seems to turn inwards or outwards.
Examinations in paediatric ophthalmology are carried out in a child-friendly way and often include cycloplegic drops, so that the true refraction can be measured accurately.
To have your child’s eyesight checked, book an appointment at our clinic in Neo Psychiko, Athens.
Frequently Asked Questions about Children and Screens
Can a mobile phone cause myopia in my child?
Myopia has a strong hereditary basis, but lifestyle plays an important role. Long hours of close-up work at a short distance, as happens with a phone, and little time outdoors are linked to a greater likelihood of myopia developing and progressing. Limits on screen time and regular breaks help to reduce this risk.
At what age should my child have their first eye examination?
A first check is already carried out by the paediatrician in infancy. A full eye examination is usually recommended at around 3 to 4 years of age and before starting primary school, and earlier if there is a squint, a family history or any symptom. After that, the ophthalmologist decides how often follow-up is needed.
If my child wears glasses, will their eyes get worse?
No. The right glasses do not make myopia worse or make the eye “dependent” on them. On the contrary, under-correction, meaning glasses weaker than the child needs, does not appear to help and can make everyday life at school more difficult. The prescription should be checked regularly, because in children it changes often.
What are the signs of digital eye strain in children?
The most common signs are eye rubbing, redness, headaches at the end of the day, blurred vision after long use and difficulty concentrating. They usually ease with breaks and less screen use. If they persist or also appear without screens, an eye examination is needed to check for a refractive error or another problem.
Questions about your case?
Dr. Skouteris will examine you at his practice in Neo Psychiko and explain your options.
Ophthalmic surgeon trained at the John Radcliffe University Hospital in Oxford and Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology (FEBO).
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