Are handheld devices harming children's vision? Experts weigh in

Parents who once rolled their eyes at warnings about sitting too close to the television find those old concerns have new relevance in the digital age. Recent research indicates that prolonged close-range screen viewing can harm eyesight, particularly in children, with modern devices like smartphones and tablets posing a greater risk than traditional television screens.

While previous generations were warned about sitting too close to TV sets, ophthalmology experts now say the primary concern has shifted to handheld devices that users typically hold much closer to their faces. The use of screens in modern life - from classrooms to bedrooms - has amplified these risks, making childhood myopia rates a growing concern among medical professionals.

Medical experts identify children ages seven to 15 as being at the highest risk for developing vision problems, specifically myopia or nearsightedness, from excessive close-range screen viewing. The condition occurs when the eyes can see nearby objects clearly but struggle to focus on distant ones.

Masih Ahmed, an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the Baylor College of Medicine, explains that spending more time on phones and tablets can raise myopia rates. “This is occurring mainly in kids because that’s when the eye is developing the most,” Ahmed said.

The physical mechanism behind screen-related vision damage involves the ciliary body, a muscle behind the eye’s iris. When viewing objects up close, this muscle contracts and alters the lens shape, potentially leading to myopia if sustained for long periods.

“The eye lens gets fatter,” Marcela Estrada, an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of California at Davis, said. “When you consistently focus too close, the eye lens spends more time accommodating and changes its shape to focus the image on your retina. If you do this too much, then you will encourage your eye to grow too fast.”

Daniel Cyr, the pediatric ophthalmologist at Stony Brook Medicine, warns that early onset myopia can progress to more severe forms. “The younger they’re found to be myopic, the more likely it is they will become ‘highly’ myopic,” Cyr said. This extreme form limits clear vision to objects within one foot of the face and increases risks for additional eye conditions, including vision loss, retinal detachment, cataracts, and glaucoma.

Myopia can also be developed with genetic factors . According to Estrada, conditions like Stickler syndrome and Marfan syndrome can cause high myopia. Having one myopic parent increases risk while having two myopic parents further raises the likelihood and potential severity.

The National Eye Institute reports that while myopia cannot be reversed or cured, it can be corrected through eyeglasses, contact lenses, or, for adults, laser surgery.

Estrada noted that young adults in their early 20s may experience late myopic progression from excessive near work. Adults over 40 can develop presbyopia, a condition in which the lens loses the flexibility needed for close focus, leading to eyestrain and possible double vision.

The shift from traditional TV viewing to modern devices has changed exposure patterns. Large flat-screen televisions naturally encourage viewers to maintain distance for optimal viewing. However, tablets, smartphones, and computers are commonly used at less than arm’s length from the face, which experts identify as too close to eye health.

Research suggests outdoor activity may help prevent myopia onset in children, though its effect on existing cases appears limited. “Two hours a day outside is a good preventive,” Estrada said. While the exact mechanism remains unclear, Ahmed suggests the benefit may come from viewing objects at greater distances or from daylight exposure.

Medical professionals recommend professional eye examinations for all children before kindergarten age. “With infants, we have tools that take a picture of a child’s eye that measures refractive errors, meaning whether a child’s eye needs correction,” Cyr said.

The age range between 25 and 45 appears least susceptible to screen-related vision damage, though dry eye symptoms may still occur. “The sweet spot where high near tasking probably will not harm your eyes, other than dry eye symptoms, is between the ages of 25 to 45. Outside of that, do not sit too close to the TV or screen,” Estrada said.

The evolution of screen technology has transformed vision health concerns from occasional TV viewing to constant exposure through multiple devices. While modern screens pose risks to eye health, particularly during crucial developmental years, proper viewing habits and regular medical supervision can help manage potential vision problems.

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