How Too Much Screen Time Affects Kids' Eyes

Parents work hard to maintain their children’s health by ensuring proper nutrition, physical activity, and adequate sleep. However, in the modern digital age, one crucial aspect of their well-being often goes unnoticed—their eyes. With tablets, phones, and computers becoming a significant part of children's daily routines, their screen time accumulates quickly, especially in hot climates like Houston, where kids tend to stay indoors. Unfortunately, excessive screen time can have harmful effects on their eyesight, contributing to an increased risk of myopia.

The Link Between Screen Time and Myopia

Increased screen time contributes to the growing prevalence of myopia among children. Less outdoor play are big contributors.

Here’s why:

• Children who spend hours staring at screens up close force their eyes to work excessively, which leads to eye strain and changes in eye shape that promote myopia development.
• Extended close-up screen viewing forces eyes to work harder which causes strain and alters eye shape thereby accelerating myopia development.
• Research demonstrates natural light exposure reduces the speed at which myopia progresses.
• Children tend to increase their screen time when outdoor play becomes too hot to enjoy.
• Long periods of screen gazing can result in tired eyes and headaches while making it difficult for users to switch their focus between different distances.

Parents should monitor for initial vision issues when their children spend hours daily attached to electronic devices.

Signs Your Child Might Be Developing Myopia

We recommend scheduling an eye exam with us if any of these symptoms are noticed:

• Squinting to see things far away
• Complaining about blurry vision, especially when looking at the board in class
• Holding books or screens very close to their face
• Frequent headaches after screen use
• Rubbing their eyes or blinking more than usual
• Trouble seeing clearly at a distance

The good news is that myopia progression can be managed with the right strategies.

Myopia Control Strategies to Protect Your Child’s Vision

At Apollo Vision Haus, we offer advanced myopia control solutions to help kids maintain clear vision and prevent their prescriptions from getting stronger year after year. Two of the most effective options we offer are MiSight 1 Day contact lenses and Orthokeratology (Ortho-K).

MiSight® 1 Day Contact Lenses

These FDA-approved daily disposable contact lenses are designed specifically for kids with myopia. Not only do they correct vision, but they also help slow the progression of nearsightedness over time. They’re a great option for kids who prefer contacts over glasses.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Lenses

These custom-designed gas-permeable lenses are worn overnight while your child sleeps. They gently reshape the cornea, so when they wake up, they can see clearly all day without needing glasses or daytime contacts. Ortho-K is especially helpful for kids who play sports or don’t want to wear glasses during school.

Every child’s eyes are different, so during an eye exam, we’ll help determine which option best suits their needs and lifestyle. Taking proactive steps now can help preserve your child’s eyesight and reduce the long-term impact of myopia.

What Parents Can Do to Help

In addition to myopia control treatments, there are a few simple steps parents can take to support their child’s eye health:

• Encourage Outdoor Play – Aim for at least 90 minutes of outdoor time each day. Even in the Houston heat, early morning or evening activities can help.
• Set Screen Time Limits – Try to balance screen use with other activities like reading, puzzles, or creative play. Following the 20-20-20 rule can also help: every 20 minutes of screen time, have your child look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to reduce eye strain.
• Schedule Annual Eye Exams – Annual eye exams are the best way to catch vision problems early and track any changes in your child’s eyesight.

Take Charge of Your Child’s Eye Health at Apollo Vision Haus

Catching myopia early can make a big difference in your child’s long-term vision. With MiSight and Ortho-K, we can slow its progression and help keep their vision clear without stronger and stronger glasses each year.

If your child is spending more time on screens or showing signs of vision changes, now is the time to act. At Apollo Vision Haus, we specialize in myopia management and are here to help. Call (832) 800-7259 or visit our Houston office to schedule an appointment today.