Aug 1, 2025

Screen Time & Kids’ Vision: How to Protect Your Child’s Eyes

a little girl looking at a tablet

Screen Time & Kids’ Vision: How to Protect Your Child’s Eyes

Aug 1, 2025 | Children's Eye Care

Screen time is now an integral part of kids’ lives due to online learning, social media, and video games. From July 2021 through December 2023, half of U.S. teens aged 12–17 spent four or more hours a day on screens (50.4%)1. All that screen time can contribute to digital eye strain and worsening vision. 

At Coastal Family Eyecare, we offer comprehensive care, including pediatric eye exams in Orange Beach, to help monitor and protect your child’s vision in today’s screen-heavy world. Learn more about the impact of screen time on children’s eyes and what you can do to help. 

How too much screen time affects kids’ eyes 

Prolonged screen use can lead to digital eye strain, which may cause symptoms such as: 

  • Blurry vision 
  • Headaches 
  • Irritated or dry eyes 
  • Trouble focusing 
  • Eye fatigue 
  • Neck and shoulder tension 

Kids may not always realize or communicate that their eyes are tired or strained, which is why early exams and regular comprehensive eye exams are critical. 

Along with discomfort, excessive screen time may also increase the risk of myopia (nearsightedness)2. Myopia is a condition that’s becoming more common in children3 and can lead to serious eye problems later in life. 

How to prevent digital eye strain in children 

Here are a few ways to help reduce the impact of screen time on your child’s eyes: 

1. Use the 20-20-20 rule 

Every 20 minutes, encourage your child to look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. 

2. Limit recreational screen time 

Keep non-school screen time under two hours a day whenever possible. 

3. Set up a screen-safe space 

Make sure devices are at eye level, about an arm’s length away, and that the room has good lighting to reduce glare and strain. 

4. Encourage outdoor play 

Spending time outdoors has been shown to help slow the progression of myopia in kids. 

5. Watch for vision changes 

If your child squints, rubs their eyes a lot, or complains of blurry vision, it may be time for an eye exam. 

Ask us about myopia management 

If your child is nearsighted, ask us about myopia management options that can help slow progression and protect their future eyesight. These solutions are designed specifically for growing eyes and can make a lasting impact on your child’s eye health.  

At Coastal Family Eyecare, we offer treatments like multifocal contact lenses and orthokeratology (ortho-k). Ortho-k lenses are custom-fitted lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea and provide clear vision during the day without glasses or contact lenses.  

Set your child up for success 

Healthy vision is essential for learning, reading, and thriving in and out of the classroom. Our friendly, knowledgeable team offers the care and tools your child needs to succeed. Let’s protect their vision together; schedule their next eye exam today! 

References: 

  1. Zablotsky, B., Arockiaraj, B., Haile, G., & Ng, A. E. (2024). Daily Screen Time Among Teenagers: United States, July 2021–December 2023. NCHS Data Brief, 513. https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc/168509 
  1. Zong, Z., Zhang, Y., Qiao, J., Tian, Y., & Xu, S. (2024). The association between screen time exposure and myopia in children and adolescents: A meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19113-5 
  1. Casey Eye Institute (2022, June 3). Myopia on the rise, especially among children. Oregon Health & Science Institute (OSHU). Retrieved July 15, 2025, from https://www.ohsu.edu/casey-eye-institute/myopia-rise-especially-among-children