Myopia and Screen Time: Is Your Child's Digital Lifestyle Affecting Vision?
ETimes | June 1, 2026 12:42 PM CST
Eight-year-old Zara received a tablet during online schooling. What started as virtual classes soon expanded into gaming, cartoons, and social media scrolling. Within two years, she needed spectacles.
This story sounds familiar in many Indian homes.
During Myopia Awareness Week , ophthalmologists are urging families to rethink children’s screen habits as excessive near work is increasingly linked to myopia progression.[1]
Indian children today spend long hours on smartphones, tablets, televisions, and laptops. During the COVID-19 pandemic, screen exposure increased dramatically, and Indian researchers reported worsening eye strain and visual complaints among children.[2]
When children spend prolonged hours focusing on near objects, they often blink less, experience digital eye strain , and spend less time outdoors.
Parents should watch for symptoms such as:
Experts recommend:
Digital devices are now a part of modern education and entertainment. The goal is not complete restriction—but balanced habits that support healthy vision.
Sometimes the first sign of excessive screen use is not poor grades—it’s blurred distance vision.
References:
Huang HM, Chang DS, Wu PC. PLoS One. 2015;10(10):e0140419.
Mohan A, Sen P, Peeush P, et al. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2021;69(11):3318-3323.
Wolffsohn JS, Flitcroft DI, Gifford KL, et al. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2019;60(3):M184-M203.
accessed on 04/05/2026
accessed on 04/05/2026
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the story are independent professional judgments of the doctors/experts, and TIL does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of their views. This should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your treating physician for more details. This article has been produced on behalf of Sun Pharma by Times Internet’s Spotlight team
This story sounds familiar in many Indian homes.
During Myopia Awareness Week , ophthalmologists are urging families to rethink children’s screen habits as excessive near work is increasingly linked to myopia progression.[1]
Indian children today spend long hours on smartphones, tablets, televisions, and laptops. During the COVID-19 pandemic, screen exposure increased dramatically, and Indian researchers reported worsening eye strain and visual complaints among children.[2]
When children spend prolonged hours focusing on near objects, they often blink less, experience digital eye strain , and spend less time outdoors.
Parents should watch for symptoms such as:
- Frequent headaches
- Eye rubbing
- Watering eyes
- Difficulty seeing distant objects
- Reduced concentration in studies
Experts recommend:
- Limiting recreational screen use
- Encouraging frequent breaks
- Following the 20-20-20 rule
- Ensuring proper lighting
- Promoting outdoor activities[3, 4, 5]
Digital devices are now a part of modern education and entertainment. The goal is not complete restriction—but balanced habits that support healthy vision.
Sometimes the first sign of excessive screen use is not poor grades—it’s blurred distance vision.
References:
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the story are independent professional judgments of the doctors/experts, and TIL does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of their views. This should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your treating physician for more details. This article has been produced on behalf of Sun Pharma by Times Internet’s Spotlight team
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