Kids, Screens, and Eye Health: What Parents Should Know

Screens are part of childhood now. Even schoolwork and free time have tablets, laptops, smartphones, and gaming systems as part of their agenda. TV, tablets, and computers at school add up to an average of 7.5 hours of screen time every day for school-age kids, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

While technology offers benefits, too much screen time can affect your child’s eye health in ways you may not notice right away.

As a parent, you should be aware of the risks, but you don’t have to eliminate screens. Below, Dr. Nicanor Lacsina and Dr. Yelena Pinkhasova at Bainbridge Eye Care in Bronx, New York, explain how screens affect developing eyes and how you can protect your child’s eyes.

How screens affect developing eyes

When your child focuses on a screen for extended periods, their eyes work harder than you might realize. Digital devices demand sustained near focus, which can strain your eye muscles.

Excessive near focus may contribute to:

Digital eye strain
Dry, irritated eyes
Headaches
Blurry vision
Increased risk of myopia (nearsightedness)

Children often don’t recognize or report symptoms. Instead, you may notice them squinting, rubbing their eyes, or losing interest in reading.

How screen time and childhood myopia are linked

Rates of childhood myopia have increased significantly in recent decades. While genetics play a role, lifestyle factors, including prolonged screen usage and reduced time outdoors, are major contributors. In fact, for every additional hour of screen use, your child’s risk of myopia jumps 21%.

Spending time outdoors has been shown to slow the development of myopia. Natural light and distance viewing give the eyes a break from constant close-up focus.

As a parent, you might consider encouraging outdoor play as a simple way to offset screen time and to support healthy visual development.

What are the recommended screen guidelines?

Pediatric experts recommend limiting screen exposure in early childhood because children’s developing brains and eyes are especially sensitive to prolonged near focus and blue light.

Current general guidelines include:

Under age 2: No screen time
Ages 2–5: Limit screen use to about one hour per day of high-quality programming, ideally co-viewed with a parent
School-age children and teens: Set consistent limits

When setting limits for older children and teens, make sure screens don’t interfere with sleep, physical activity, or in-person interaction. If possible, ensure screens get used in public or family areas rather than in the bedroom.

Practical tips to reduce screen strain

You don’t have to remove devices entirely. Your child may need them for school, and that’s okay. Instead, focus on balance and healthy habits.

Try these strategies:

Teach your child the 20-20-20 rule to give their eyes a break
Limit recreational screen time when possible
Encourage outdoor activity daily for a minimum of one to two hours
Adjust screen brightness and reduce glare (use night mode when possible)
Make sure screens are positioned at or slightly below eye level
Avoid screens for 1-2 hours before bed

Screens don’t just impact your child’s eyes. Bending their neck over their device can lead to physical pain, such as tech neck. Excess screens can also increase your child’s risk of anxiety and depression. Responsible screen limits help guard against the physical and mental impacts of too much screen time.

Warning signs your child needs an eye exam

Even if you’ve reduced screen time and encouraged healthy viewing habits, your child may still need a professional eye evaluation. Children rarely say, “I can’t see clearly.” Vision changes often show up in more subtle ways.

Instead, watch for dizziness at distant objects, sitting very close to screens, frequent headaches, and difficulty concentrating on schoolwork. Your child may also say their eyes are “tired” or dry.

These signs warrant a comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Lacscina or Dr. Pinkhasova. While screens may not be the sole cause of myopia, prolonged near work can contribute to eye strain and may worsen nearsightedness.