Screen Time Linked to Myopia

by | Nov 19, 2021 | Uncategorized | 82 comments

screen time linked to myopia

A new study published in a leading medical journal reveals screen time linked to Myopia in children and young adults.

Screen Time Linked to Myopia in Children

Published in October this year (2021) in The Lancet Digital Health, the study was undertaken by researchers and eye health experts from Singapore, Australia, China and the UK, including Professor Rupert Bourne from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU). They examined more than 3,000 studies investigating smart device exposure and myopia in children and young adults aged between 3 months old and 33 years old.

The authors revealed that high levels of smart device screen time, such as looking at a mobile phone, is associated with around a 30% higher risk of myopia and, when combined with excessive computer use, that risk rises to around 80%. Their research comes as millions of children around the world have spent substantial time using remote learning methods following the closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Professor of Ophthalmology in the Vision and Eye Research Institute at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), Professor Bourne,  said:

“Around half the global population is expected to have myopia by 2050, so it is a health concern that is escalating quickly. Our study is the most comprehensive yet on this issue and shows a potential link between screen time and myopia in young people.

“This research comes at a time when our children have been spending more time than ever looking at screens for long periods, due to school closures, and it is clear that urgent research is needed to further understand how exposure to digital devices can affect our eyes and vision. We also know that people underestimate their own screen time, so future studies should use objective measures to capture this information.”

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For more helpful eye care and vision care tips, please visit our main blog page.

Source:

sciencedaily.com

Materials provided by Anglia Ruskin University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

For more helpful eye care and vision care tips, please visit our main blog page.

 

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