How too much screen time is changing children's eyes.
Snippet from RTÉ Radio 1's News At One, Dr Síofra Harrington on why children are more likely to be shortsighted if they are heavy screen users
In recent years, there has been an alarming increase in people with myopia (shortsightedness). Over two generations, myopia rates increased fourfold in Asia and doubled in the UK, with children becoming myopic at younger ages. By 2030, 2.5 billion people may be affected, so finding ways to stop this growing issue is crucial.
Parental history raises a child's risk of developing myopia. However, rising myopia rates are happening too fast to be solely genetic and are mirroring lifestyle shifts, including congested living conditions, reduced outdoor time and daylight exposure, and more screen time.
Children's visual environment influences their vision, eye health and general health – positively and negatively -- depending on how much time they spend outdoors and what activities they undertake indoors.
Children holding screens close to their faces for extended periods indoors and getting less daylight exposure are at increased risk of myopia and faster-progressing myopia. Screentime has replaced reading, TV and outdoor time. Children should spend breaks outdoors during preschool and primary school, as their visual system is particularly vulnerable to indoor visual environments. The recommended daily outdoor time is two hours, which could be 15 minutes walk to school, 30 minutes outside at lunch break and 15 minutes walking home with an hour outdoors before homework. When children want screentime, remember the30-30 rule; hold screens no closer than 30cm for 30 minutes, then take a break, preferably outside.
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