Does screen time cause short-sightedness in children?

Numbers match the citations in the article. A working link isn't proof that a page supports a claim; check the quoted passage and date.

1. 1

   Digital Screen Time and Myopia

   JAMA Network Open (Ha et al.)Published Feb 21, 2025Checked Oct 13, 2026

   “In the linear DRMA of 45 studies with 335 524 participants (mean [SD] age, 9.3 [4.3] years), an additional hour of daily screen time was associated with higher odds of myopia (odds ratio [OR], 1.21; 95% CI, 1.13-1.30). The nonlinear DRMA of 34 studies with 314 910 participants also indicated higher odds of myopia with increasing screen time, ranging from 1 hour of daily exposure (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.09) to 4 hours (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.56-2.40). The dose-response curve showed myopia risk increasing significantly between 1 to 4 hours of daily screen time, and then rising more gradually after 4 hours. Conclusions and Relevance: In this systematic review and DRMA, a daily 1-hour increment in digital screen time was associated with 21% higher odds of myopia and the dose-response pattern exhibited a sigmoidal shape, indicating a potential safety threshold of less than 1 hour per day of exposure, with an increase in odds up to 4 hours. These findings can offer guidance to clinicians and researchers regarding myopia risk.”

2. 2

   The association between screen time exposure and myopia in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis

   BMC Public Health (Zong et al.)Published Jun 18, 2024Checked Oct 13, 2026

   “We searched 7,571 records from three databases and identified 19 eligible studies, including 14 high-quality studies and 5 moderate-quality studies. Meta-analyses suggested that there was a statistically significant correlation between screen time (high vs. low) and myopia. The pooled ORs with 95%CIs were respectively 2.24 (1.47-3.42) for cross-sectional studies, and 2.39 (2.07-2.76) for cohort studies. We also found a significant association between continuous exposure to screen time (per 1 h/d increase) and myopia in cohort studies. The pooled ORs with 95%CIs were 1.07 (1.01-1.13). In subgroup analysis stratified by screen device type in cross-sectional studies, screen time exposures from computers (categorical: OR = 8.19, 95%CI: 4.78-14.04; continuous: OR = 1.22, 95%CI: 1.10-1.35) and televisions (categorical: OR = 1.46, 95%CI: 1.02-2.10) were associated with myopia, while smartphones were not. Our findings support that screen time exposure was significantly associated with myopia in children and adolescents. Notably, screen time exposure from computers may have the most significant impact on myopia.”

3. 3

   Association between digital smart device use and myopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

   The Lancet Digital Health (Foreman et al.)Published Oct 6, 2021Checked Oct 13, 2026

   “3325 articles were identified, of which 33 were included in the systematic review and 11 were included in the meta-analysis. Four (40%) of ten category one articles, eight (80%) of ten category two articles, and all 13 category three articles used objective measures to identify myopia (refraction), whereas the remaining studies used questionnaires to identify myopia. Screen exposure was measured by use of questionnaires in all studies, with one also measuring device-recorded network data consumption. Associations between screen exposure and prevalent or incident myopia, an increased myopic spherical equivalent, and longer axial length were reported in five (50%) category one and six (60%) category two articles. Smart device screen time alone (OR 1·26 [95% CI 1·00–1·60]; I 2 =77%) or in combination with computer use (1·77 [1·28–2·45]; I 2 =87%) was significantly associated with myopia. The most common sources of risk of bias were that all 33 studies did not include reliable measures of screen time, seven (21%) did not objectively measure myopia, and nine (27%) did not identify or adjust for confounders in the analysis.”

4. 4

   Prevalence of Myopia Among Schoolchildren and the Impact of Increased Screen Time: A Systematic Review

   Cureus (Khalaf et al.)Published Aug 13, 2024Checked Oct 13, 2026

   “Studies reporting an association between myopia and time spent in front of screens in children and young adults were considered eligible. The initial search yielded a total of 1,251 studies. After eliminating duplicates and reviewing the titles and abstracts, 64 full-text articles were evaluated for eligibility. Ultimately, 15 of these studies were included in the final analysis. The 15 studies involved a total of 59,775 participants and were conducted in various countries, including China, Singapore, and the United States. Overall, the evidence did not support a significant association between screen time and myopia in school children and young adults. There is conflicting evidence on the link between screen time and myopia in children and adolescents. More research is needed to determine whether or not digital screen use is a risk factor for myopia. The complex association between screen time and myopia is not fully understood at this time because of the variability of the included studies. These results have significant public health implications since they may be used to guide recommendations for screen time use in children and the young population.”

5. 5

   Screen Time and Myopia-Related Outcomes in European Children: A Systematic Review.

   Vision (Basel, Switzerland) (Khalid et al.)Published Jul 13, 2026Checked Oct 13, 2026

   “Overall, the evidence suggested an association between screen-related behaviours, prolonged near work, reduced outdoor exposure and myopia-related outcomes in European children. However, findings were heterogeneous, and screen exposure was often measured using broad or proxy variables, including total screen time, smartphone use, internet data consumption, computer use, handheld near-screen use and COVID-19-related lifestyle change. Outdoor activity appeared to be a protective factor, while parental myopia was an important risk factor and confounder. Most included studies were observational, many were cross-sectional, and several relied on self- or parent-reported exposure measures, limiting causal inference and introducing potential recall bias. Overall, the certainty of evidence was low to very low. Practical advice should therefore be framed around balanced digital device use, regular breaks from prolonged near work, appropriate viewing distances and increased outdoor activity, while further longitudinal studies using objective screen-use measures, cycloplegic refraction and axial length outcomes are needed to clarify causality.”

6. 6

   Childhood myopia in the modern environment: modifiable risk factors and evidence-based prevention.

   International journal of ophthalmology (Tariq et al.)Published Sep 18, 2026Checked Oct 13, 2026

   “Reduced outdoor activity, excessive near-work and screen exposure, urban residence, insufficient sleep, and gene-environment interaction are major risk factors for childhood myopia. Daily outdoor activity of 1-2h or longer confers protective effects via promoting retinal dopamine release and inhibiting axial elongation, whereas prolonged close work and excessive screen time notably elevate myopia risk. Optimizing outdoor time, regulating ocular use habits, ensuring sufficient sleep, and implementing school-based interventions are core evidence-based preventive measures, and wearable devices and objective biomarkers can facilitate behavioral management and intervention evaluation. In conclusion, childhood myopia is influenced by multiple adjustable factors; increased outdoor exposure is the most effective preventive measure, and combined behavioral and policy interventions are essential to curb the global prevalence of childhood myopia and prevent subsequent severe visual complications.”