New study finds direct correlation between kids' screen time and nearsightedness

CapeTalk's Clarence Ford speaks to Barbara Friedman, Digital Content Editor of Primedia Plus, about trending online stories. 

Skip to 00:39 for this story. 

A recent study has revealed that there is a negative correlation between kids' digital screen time and the likelihood of developing myopia which is the medical term for short-sightedness or nearsightedness. This means you're able to see objects that are near clearly but have difficulty seeing objects farther away.

A research team led by Professor of Ophthalmology Kim Young Kook from Seoul National University published their findings in JAMA Network Open.

The researchers analysed data from 45 studies involving over 335,000 participants, with an average age of 9.3 years.

The study shows that every additional hour spent daily on digital screens—such as smartphones, tablets, computers, or televisions—increases the risk of developing myopia (nearsightedness) by 21%.

While genetics play a role, insufficient outdoor time and prolonged near-focus activities, such as screen use, are significant risk factors, the study adds.

The study also indicated that for children aged 12 to 13 in the United Kingdom, screen use increases the risk of myopia to 18% after one hour and 27% after four hours. 

Limiting kids' screen time has been recommended by conductors of this research as a possible way to avoid myopia.

"I think it's quite interesting and scary... but even us [adults], if you're on a screen all the time, take a break and look at something outside to relax your eyes," adds Friedman.