Digital devices such as phones, tablets, and computers have become an inseparable part of our lives. They help us with work, school, and leisure, but many people are concerned about the effects of screen time, especially when it comes to our children’s health.
Research suggests that screen time and myopia development in young people are linked. If your child shows symptoms of myopia, such as squinting, headaches, and trouble with schoolwork, take them to an optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam. If your child does get a myopia diagnosis, there are ways to slow down myopia’s progression.
Myopia: What You Need to Know
Otherwise known as nearsightedness, myopia is when distant objects appear blurry while close-up objects remain clear. This is typically due to an elongation of the eye or steepened cornea, which affects how light gets focused on the retina (a tissue at the back of the eye). Symptoms of myopia in children include:
- Complaints about headaches, fatigue, and blurry vision
- Lack of focus and challenges with schoolwork
- Squinting and holding things close to their face
Children can’t always articulate their symptoms, and if they’ve had blurry vision for a while, they actually may not realize that something is wrong. That’s why regular eye exams for kids are important.
The Connection Between Myopia & Screen Time
Recent research is beginning to show a link between screen use and myopia development in children, with what appears to be a greater impact on children under 10 whose vision is still developing.
Nearsightedness has always existed, but myopia rates have risen significantly around the world. This suggests that something else is going on that’s unique to our modern world.
As it turns out, looking at a screen is a little different from looking at a book. Research has found that people hold screens closer to their faces than they do books, and that their eyes work harder to focus on screens. Besides myopia, screen use is also linked to dry eye and digital eye strain.
Myopia Prevention & Treatment
You can’t always prevent myopia because there is a genetic component. But you may be able to lower your child’s risk by encouraging them to spend more time outdoors and limiting the time they spend on screens and doing close-up tasks.
Receiving a myopia diagnosis for your child can be a challenging experience, but management options are available. If a child’s myopia is detected early, there are ways to control and slow progression of the condition. This is important because high myopia is linked to an increased risk of serious eye diseases like glaucoma, retinal detachment, and myopic maculopathy. Note that corrective treatments like glasses and laser surgery don’t cure myopia or the risks associated with it.
Myopia Control
Modern eye care now provides ways to slow the progression of myopia. Treatments available at our clinic include:
- Atropine eye drops: These eye drops are similar to those used to dilate pupils during a dilated eye exam. In small doses, they can help slow the progression of myopia.
- Orthokeratology lenses: Also known as ortho-k, these hard contact lenses are worn while sleeping to reshape the cornea overnight and provide clear vision during the day without the use of glasses.
- Specialty contact lenses and eyeglasses: Eyeglasses that have specialized focusing properties, and multifocal soft contact lenses can also help slow myopia’s progression.
Screen Time Tips
Controlling how much time your child spends on screens is not just good for their eye health. Screen overuse is linked to weight gain, poor sleep, and attention problems.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists offers these guidelines for children and screen time:
- Babies and toddlers ages 0 to 2 should have zero screen time except for occasional video chats that may help their social development.
- Young children ages 2 to 5 should have no more than 1 hour of screen time per day, and it should be age-appropriate educational content with parental supervision.
- In general, children and youth ages 5 to 18 should have no more than 2 hours of screen time per day, excluding screen time used for school and work.
Limiting screen time can be challenging for parents. The Canadian Paediatric Society offers the following suggestions:
- Model the behaviour you want to see: Be mindful of your own media use. Make sure your kids see you enjoy activities, hobbies, and sports that don’t require screens.
- Set boundaries: Rules you can implement include no phones at the dinner table and turning off all devices an hour before bedtime.
- Encourage quality media consumption: Explore educational content with your child and ask your school or library for digital literacy tools. Watch and discuss movies and shows together.
- Know your tools: Learn about what parental controls are available to help manage the content your kids consume.
Children’s Eye Care & Myopia Control in Cowichan, BC
Myopia can be a challenging condition for children and parents alike, but management options are available to slow progression of the condition. It’s also possible to lower your child’s risk of developing myopia by encouraging more outdoor activity and limiting their screen time.Whether your child is showing symptoms of nearsightedness or is due for the next eye exam, taking them to the optometrist is a good first step. Cowichan Eyecare offers comprehensive eye exams for adults and children in Chemainus, Cobble Hill, Lake Cowichan, Duncan, and Langford. We can also discuss myopia control methods with you. Book an appointment with us today.
