Too Much Screen Time?
“Here's How to Reset Your Child’s Visual Habits!”
6/4/2025 - 2 min read
In today’s digital world, it’s nearly impossible to keep screens away from kids. From online classes and YouTube to gaming and texting, screens are everywhere and often unavoidable. But excessive screen time isn’t just a parenting concern — it’s a growing vision concern.
💡Why Screen Time Affects Young Eyes More ?
Children's eyes are still developing. Unlike adults, they:
Blink less when staring at screens
Have less awareness of visual fatigue
Hold screens too close for too long
This can lead to:
Digital eye strain
Worsening myopia (nearsightedness)
Poor focusing and eye teaming skills
Long-term behavioral issues from visual fatigue
As an optometrist, I see more children today complaining of dry eyes, blurry vision, headaches, and poor focusing — all symptoms linked to screen overuse. The good news? You don’t have to ban screens entirely. You just need to reset your child’s visual habits. Let’s dive into how!
6 Practical Solutions from an Optometrist Parents Can Trust:
🎯 1. Turn Breaks Into a Game (20-20-20 Rule):
Instead of forcing breaks, make it a mission.
Every 20 minutes, ask:
“Can you find 3 things far away?”
🌳 A tree out the window
🚗 A red car on the road
🧍♂️ A person walking outside
You can even set a fun timer with a chime — and let them earn a point or sticker every time they complete the challenge. Treat it like a level between screen time. Kids love missions, not rules.
🪟 2. Create a ‘Visual Break Zone’ at Home.
Dedicate a screen-free zone near a window with natural light.
Include puzzles, books, or drawing — activities that encourage looking around, not down.
📱 3. Adjust Devices, Don’t Eliminate Them
You can’t throw away the tablet — but you can:
Turn on blue light filters on devices
Reduce screen brightness to adjust under room light
Increase text size so kids don’t squint or lean in
Even small changes can reduce eye fatigue over time.
🏃 4. Outdoor Play: The Natural Myopia Shield
Studies show that 2+ hours of outdoor play daily can reduce the risk of myopia progression.
Even 30 minutes helps reset the eye muscles that get “locked in” by screens.
🧠 5. Model the Behavior You Want
Kids copy what they see. If you:
Take visual breaks
Avoid doom-scrolling
Prioritize outdoor time
They will too! Eye habits are built — not born.
👓 6. Get a Visual Skill Assessment
Even if your child sees clearly (6/6), they might still struggle with:
Focusing speed
Eye teaming
Visual Tracking
Excess screen time can worsen these hidden issues — leading to tired eyes, poor attention, or even frustration during homework. A functional vision assessment, can uncover these challenges.
👋 Need help figuring out if your child’s screen habits are affecting their eyes?
📩 Connect with me today for a personalized plan that works for your family.