Are Screens Making Kids More Nearsighted?

With the increasing use of tablets, smartphones, and computers in school and at home, many parents are beginning to ask an important question: Is all this screen time affecting my child’s vision? At Warm Springs Optometric Group, we’re seeing more young patients with signs of early myopia, and we’re here to help families understand what it is, why it matters, and how it can be managed effectively to protect long-term eye health.
 

What Is Myopia?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common vision condition where distant objects appear blurry while close-up objects remain clear. This occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. Myopia often begins in childhood and typically progresses through the teenage years.
 

How Screen Time Contributes to Myopia Progression

While genetics play a role in whether a child develops myopia, environmental factors  (especially prolonged near work like reading, writing, or screen use) can accelerate its progression. When children spend hours staring at tablets, smartphones, or computers without taking breaks, their eyes remain in a constant near-focus state. Over time, this can lead to eye strain and elongation of the eyeball, a key contributor to worsening myopia.
 

Additionally, screen time often replaces outdoor play. Research has shown that children who spend less time outdoors are at a higher risk of developing myopia. Natural light exposure and distant focusing during outdoor activities may help slow eye growth and reduce the risk of nearsightedness.
 

The Risks of Untreated Myopia

Myopia isn’t just about needing glasses. When left untreated or allowed to progress rapidly, moderate to high myopia can increase a child’s risk of serious eye conditions later in life, including:
 

•          Retinal detachment

•          Glaucoma

•          Cataracts

•          Myopic maculopathy

This is why it’s essential to not only correct vision with glasses or contacts but to manage the condition itself.
 

Myopia Management Treatments That Can Make a Difference

The good news is that there are safe and effective treatment options that go beyond standard vision correction to actually slow the progression of myopia. At Warm Springs Optometric Group, we offer several evidence-based solutions.
 

Low-dose atropine drops are used at bedtime to help slow the growth of the eye. These drops are well-tolerated by children and have been proven to reduce myopia progression without significantly affecting near vision.
 

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) involves custom-designed, gas-permeable contact lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea. This not only provides clear vision during the day without glasses or contacts but has also been shown to slow eye growth in children.
 

Specialized soft multifocal contact lenses are worn during the day and provide clear, comfortable vision while also helping to manage myopia. These lenses are designed to create a “myopic defocus” effect, which alters how light is focused on the retina in a way that slows the progression of nearsightedness in children.
 

Each of these treatments is tailored to your child’s individual needs and vision goals. Early intervention is key. Starting myopia management as soon as signs of progression appear can lead to better long-term outcomes.
 

Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam in Fremont Today

Screen time is an unavoidable part of modern life, but understanding its impact on your child’s vision is the first step in prevention. With proactive eye care and personalized myopia management, you can help protect your child’s vision and reduce their risk of future eye health issues.
 

If your child is becoming more nearsighted or spends a lot of time on screens, schedule a myopia management consultation at Warm Springs Optometric Group today. Visit our office in Fremont, California, or call (510) 490-0287 to book an appointment.