Excessive use of phones, tablets, and computers—referred to as screen addiction—has become a major health concern for children, according to both parents and doctors.
Screen addiction has been linked to childhood obesity, which increases the risk of serious health conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
More Indian Kids Will Require To Wear Glasses Thanks To Excessive Screen Times
Another emerging health concern is deteriorating eyesight among children due to prolonged screen time.
At a public awareness event in Nagpur, doctors from the Association of Community Ophthalmologists of India (ACOIN) warned that up to 50% of Indian schoolchildren may develop myopia by 2050 if corrective measures aren’t taken.
Ophthalmologists attribute the rising cases of myopia to lifestyle changes—mainly excessive use of digital devices and lack of outdoor time.
Currently, around 23% of Indian school-going children suffer from myopia, or nearsightedness.
Myopia means being able to see nearby objects clearly, but distant objects appear blurry.
In 2024 alone, over 2,000 children were treated for myopia at Surya Eye Institute, indicating a steady increase in cases.
The rise in myopia has been accelerating especially since the Covid-19 pandemic, which pushed children toward online learning and increased screen exposure.
Dr. Jay Goyal, senior eye surgeon and director at Surya Eye Institute, stated, “Children don’t need complicated procedures in most cases of myopia. What they urgently need is an understanding of how excessive screen time, inadequate sleep, and prolonged indoor activities are negatively impacting their vision.”
How To Take Care Of Your Child’s Eyes?
Dr. Goyal recommended simple lifestyle changes such as:
- Wearing glasses if prescribed
- Spending at least an hour outdoors daily
- Following healthy daily routines
Doctors emphasized that taking preventive steps now can protect children’s vision and help avoid serious eye issues later in life.
There is a growing body of scientific research showing a strong connection between prolonged screen time and myopia development.
Prolonged near work, such as looking at screens, can strain the eyes and disrupt normal eye development, leading to eyeball elongation and blurry distance vision.
Natural daylight plays a protective role against myopia, helping prevent the elongation of the eyeball.
Sunlight is believed to stimulate dopamine release in the retina, which helps regulate eye growth.
Outdoor time also encourages children to focus on distant objects, giving their eyes a break from constant near work.
Doctors suggest the following key recommendations for parents:
Limit screen use to essential activities like schoolwork.
Ensure children spend at least one hour outdoors daily.
Provide adequate lighting for reading and studying to reduce strain.
Schedule regular eye checkups even if no issues are visible.
Encourage healthy habits like proper sleep and a balanced diet.
While low-dose atropine eye drops are being used internationally under strict medical supervision to slow myopia, Indian doctors currently prioritize preventive lifestyle strategies.
The article concludes that simple actions today can preserve children’s eyesight and reduce the risk of serious eye issues in adulthood.
