The screen-time habit eye doctors want parents to notice is not only how long children watch — it is how close they hold the device.
“The more near-screen work and close-screen work we do can greatly impact how kids’ eyes develop,” ophthalmologist Dr. Daniel Brocks told Parade. He was one of three eye doctors the outlet interviewed about children’s screen habits.
Their shared concern was prolonged viewing at very close distances, whether on a phone, tablet or computer. That makes the after-school routine worth a second look: a child may put down a school laptop only to bring a smaller screen inches from their face.
The National Eye Institute explains that nearsightedness, or myopia, makes distant objects look blurry. It often begins during childhood, and family history matters too, so screen habits are not the whole story.
A 2025 JAMA Network Open review of 45 studies involving 335,524 participants found an association between more daily screen time and higher odds of myopia. Each additional daily hour was associated with 21% higher odds — not a prediction that any particular child’s vision will worsen by that amount.
The researchers rated the overall certainty of evidence as low and noted that most included studies were cross-sectional, which cannot establish cause and effect. Their findings are a reason to take habits seriously, not a guarantee that a particular number of screen minutes is safe.
Related: 5 Tips to Help Your Child Manage Their Screen Time
For everyday setup, the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus recommends keeping a screen an arm’s length away, at least 25 inches from the face. It also suggests bigger screens farther away when possible, including watching a show from the couch rather than on a handheld device.
Breaks matter along with distance. The association recommends the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to help reduce eye strain.
That can fit into ordinary family life without turning homework into a stopwatch contest. A reminder to look down the hallway or out a window gives children a concrete action, rather than another vague instruction to stop staring at a screen.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology distinguishes digital eye strain from permanent eye damage. Dryness, itching, blurry vision and headaches can follow extended screen use, but the academy describes those eye-strain symptoms as temporary.
It also says there is no scientific evidence that light from computer screens damages the eyes and does not recommend special blue-light glasses for computer use. The practical focus is on viewing habits, comfort and breaks, not shopping for a protective accessory.
Outdoor time belongs in the plan as well. The pediatric eye specialists’ association encourages one to two hours of outdoor play daily, while the National Eye Institute notes that children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to be nearsighted.
Parents should also resist assuming every close-up viewer is simply ignoring instructions. Parade’s experts noted that holding a device very near the face can signal an uncorrected vision problem, and the pediatric specialists’ association recommends an eye doctor’s evaluation for symptoms such as eye pain, headaches, blurry vision or double vision.
A sensible family reset does not require panic or a promise to ban every screen. Give children room to see comfortably, make looking away a habit, preserve time outdoors and bring persistent concerns to a qualified eye professional.
Read Next: Rise In Myopia In Kids Linked To Increased Screen Time, Experts Say
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