Screen time and your child's eyes

Children today spend far more time looking at screens and books than earlier generations, and far less time outdoors. Eye doctors around the world are seeing more short-sightedness (myopia) in school-age children, and long hours of close work with little outdoor time are part of the reason.

What screens do to the eyes

• Focusing on something close for a long time tires the focusing muscles, which can cause headaches and blurred vision at the end of the day
• People blink less while looking at a screen, so the eyes can feel dry, gritty or watery
• Children rarely complain. They may simply rub their eyes, hold the device very close or lose interest

Signs your child may need an eye check

• Sitting close to the television or holding the phone near the face
• Squinting or tilting the head to see the board
• Frequent eye rubbing or headaches after school
• One eye turning in or out
• A poor result at a school vision screening

Habits that help

• Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet (6 metres) away for 20 seconds
• Go outside. Time outdoors in daylight is one of the best-studied ways to slow the start of myopia in children. Aim for some outdoor play every day
• Keep a distance. Hold tablets and books at about the length of the forearm, and use a larger screen where possible for online classes
• Good light. Read in a well-lit room, not in the dark under a blanket
• No screens before bed. Stop screens at least an hour before sleep

Blue-light glasses

Blue-light filter lenses can make some people feel more comfortable, but they do not prevent myopia and are not a substitute for breaks and outdoor time.

Eye checks for children

Every child should have a vision check before starting school, and children who wear glasses should be checked every year. Early treatment matters most for a lazy eye, which responds best when treatment starts young.

When to seek urgent care

See an eye doctor the same day if your child has a painful red eye, sudden loss of vision, an eye injury, or a white reflection in the pupil in photographs.