Many of us have taken note of media reports on the impact of screen time on children’s vision and eye health. Most of us may believe, as taught by past generations, that reading in poor light, sitting too close to a TV, and the blue light emitted from screens may be harmful for vision. Inadequate reading light or sitting close to a screen can cause eye fatigue or strain, but they don’t do any permanent damage or result in long-term eye problems, said Sarah Clark, of the University of Michigan Health.
According to a poll on children’s health, undertaken by the University, some parents may have inaccurate perceptions of activities that affect their child’s eye health and vision and how to minimise risks.
Some experts have pointed to the combination of increased screen time and less time outdoors as factors that may put children at higher risk for developing myopia, or nearsightedness, which can lead to serious eye problems in the future. The rate of nearsightedness in children has increased dramatically in the past 30 years.
Research is ongoing but studies suggest outdoor time protects against myopia.
“Parents should encourage at least one to two hours of outdoor time per day because exposure to natural light benefits eye development,” Clark said.
Some research has also indicated associations between working up close—like reading or using a tablet—increasing the odds of myopia.
“It’s important time to think about myopia risks for children because kids with this condition often become more nearsighted over time,” said Olivia Killeen, M.D., ophthalmologist at U-M Health Kellogg Eye Center who consulted on the report.
“The age of myopia onset is the most significant predictor of severe myopia later in life.”
Using eyewear to minimize risks to children’s eyes
Another overlooked area of eye health—protecting little eyes from intense sunlight.
Less than a third of parents polled say wearing sunglasses when outdoors has a major impact on children’s vision and eye health, with just two in five having their child wear eyewear when outdoors.
In fact, when children are outdoors, they should wear sunglasses or wide-brimmed hats to decrease the risks of ultraviolet radiation damage, which can contribute to eye problems in older age, Clark says.
“While parents often make sure their children’s skin is protected with sunscreen, they may not think about protecting their eyes from the sun as well,” Clark said.
Many parents polled also skip steps that help minimize eye injuries during activities that include a risk of objects hitting the child’s eye at high speed or force, with less than a third of parents saying their child wears protective glasses or goggles during contact sports.
However, most parents polled say children and teens wear protective glasses or goggles when doing activities that pose a risk of eye injuries, including working with tools and playing shooting games like Nerf guns or paintball.
Less than a third of parents say children wear glasses that block blue light emitted from TV and computer screens. While the amount of blue light does not damage eyes, it may impact circadian rhythms and make it harder for children to fall asleep. Experts recommend children stop blue light screen use at least one hour before bedtime.
And don’t forget the importance of vision tests. “Children should get vision tests at least every two years to make sure eyes are developing properly,” Clark said.
“It’s important to identify and treat vision problems as early as possible, because undiagnosed issues can lead to serious eye conditions in the future, including permanent vision loss.”