Screen Time, Outdoor Activity and Childhood Myopia: Separating the Evidence from Public Anxiety

Research has associated digital screen time with childhood myopia, but identifying a causal relationship continues to cause difficulty. Screen time is often associated with reduced outdoor activity and other near-work activities, which poses challenges to determine the contribution of each factor. There is currently no convincing evidence that blue light from screens causes retinal damage, hence blue-light filtering glasses are unlikely to make much difference to temporary eye strain. In comparison, randomised trials suggest stronger evidence that spending time outdoors acts as a protective factor against the onset of myopia.