Screen Time's Impact on Young Eyes

Across the country, more and more people are needing a specific kind of help. Rates of nearsightedness have been climbing, meaning more folks need to turn to glasses or contact lenses to see things far away. 

Experts seem to agree that this uptick in myopia (nearsightedness) has a lot to do with how much time we spend focusing on things close up. And screens are a huge part of the problem here. 

Children in the United States spend 4–6 hours each day, on average, looking at a screen. By the time they’re teenagers, that number jumps to nine hours, on average. All of that screen time can take a toll. 

We want to help parents protect their kids’ and teens’ eyes. So we’re taking a two-pronged approach. First, Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates and our team compiled a list of the ways screen time affects young eyes. Our thinking is that the more you know — and the more you can educate your child and teen — the easier it becomes to safeguard their vision.

Secondly, we give some practical tips to help preserve their eye health. That includes visiting us in Aiea, Hawaii, for regular eye exams with Dr. Endo.

The toll of screens on young eyes

Experts recommend limiting kids’ screen time to a couple of hours a day. Anything more than that can contribute to:

• Nearsightedness
• Eye strain
• Dry eyes
• Sleep problems, especially when screens are used late at night
• Headaches
• Temporarily blurry vision

Talk with your teen or child about these signs. Watch for them yourself, too. If you see your child rubbing their eyes while they look at a screen, for example, it’s probably time for a break. 

Also, be on the lookout for signs that they’ve developed nearsightedness. Your teen or child might be having trouble seeing far away if they:

• Squint
• Tilt their head
• Choose to sit close to things they want to see, like the board at school or the TV
• Rub their eyes

Headaches and trouble with learning at school could also indicate myopia. 

Protecting developing eyes

You can take steps to help protect your child’s vision. That starts with monitoring their screen time. Experts generally recommend two hours a day maximum for children. They’ve been reticent about a set limit for teens, but it’s important for your teen to have a mix of screen time and other activities. 

When your teen or child is looking at a screen, encourage them to take breaks. Dr. Endo and the American Optometric Association recommend the 20-20-20 rule. That means every 20 minutes you should take a 20 second break to look at something at least 20 feet away. Blinking during that break also flushes the eyes with tears which may lessen dry eyes. 

It also helps to encourage your kids or teens to spend time outside. When they’re outdoors, their eyes naturally focus on objects that are far away. This combats some of the strain that comes from constantly looking at things close up. 

Also, we can help. Visit us on the cadence that’s right for them (that’s annually for most children and teens). We can look for signs of nearsightedness, dry eye, and other vision challenges.

We can also help you combat the effects of screen time. Dr. Endo offers specialized glasses that can help to prevent eye strain. 

All told, screen time can take a heavy toll on young eyes. For help limiting some of the detrimental effects there, call us or book an appointment online today.