Screen time’s effect on vision and myopia

Q: Does reducing screen time improve vision?

Reducing screen time and taking regular breaks can help improve symptoms of eyestrain, like headache and dry eyes, but it cannot improve specific vision conditions like myopia or farsightedness. In order improve those, you’d need vision correction like eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Q: Is eight hours of screen time bad?

Spending eight hours or more on screens daily, especially without breaks or proper ergonomics, can increase the risk of experiencing symptoms of eye strain. Balancing screen time with breaks and outdoor activities can help prevent discomfort associated with eye strain.

Q: Does screen time increase eye pressure?

Many people experience the feeling of eye pressure when they focus on something nearby (smartphone, textbook, television) for an extended period of time. Research shows that intraocular pressure (IOP) may go up during smartphone use, especially under low-light conditions.

Q: Can myopia be reversed?

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is typically caused by the eye growing too long, leading to symptoms like blurry distance vision. Once it develops, it cannot be reversed, but there are ways to correct it, like with eyeglasses or contact lenses. In growing children, it’s also possible to slow myopia’s progression with treatments like special contact lenses designed to manage myopia.

Q: Does looking at screens in the dark affect eyesight?

Looking at screens in the dark is not dangerous for your eyes, but it may make them feel fatigued for the same reason staring at anything for too long does: it can strain the muscles in your eyes. Changing your lighting or taking a break from looking at your screen is a good idea if your eyes start to feel tired or strained.

Q: Do blue light filter glasses actually work?

Studies have shown that wearing blue-light filters doesn’t reduce the feeling of eye strain that people commonly associate with computers or digital devices. Since blue light is known to affect natural melatonin levels, blue light filters may help if device use is affecting sleep, but more studies are needed to definitively confirm this.

Published on October 30, 2024

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5 minute read time

An Overview of Screen Time

Living in a digital world

Average screen time by age in the U.S.

Does looking at screens affect eyesight?

Digital Eye Strain

Temporary discomfort due to overworked eyes

Screen Time and Myopia

A possible link between “near work” and myopia

Screen Time Recommendations

What’s the “right” amount of screen time?

Eye Health Tips

Ways to care for your eyes

More Eye Health Tips

Frequently asked questions

Does reducing screen time improve vision?

Is eight hours of screen time bad?

Does screen time increase eye pressure?

Can myopia be reversed?

Does looking at screens in the dark affect eyesight?

Do blue light filter glasses actually work?

Screen time’s effect on vision and myopia

Living in a digital world

Average screen time by age in the U.S.

Does looking at screens affect eyesight?

Temporary discomfort due to overworked eyes

A possible link between “near work” and myopia

What’s the “right” amount of screen time?

Ways to care for your eyes

More questions? Talk to your eye doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Related Content

Myopia—causes, symptoms, treatments

Myopia vs. hyperopia

Understanding high myopia

Myopia vs. Astigmatism: What’s the difference?

Footnotes