A new study warns that spending just an hour a day on smartphones or tablets may increase the risk of myopia or nearsightedness.
Published in JAMA Network Open, the study analyzed data from 45 investigations involving over 335,000 participants, ranging from toddlers to young adults. Researchers found that for every additional hour of daily screen time, the risk of developing myopia increased by 21%. The risk grew significantly between one to four hours of screen exposure, after which the increase was more gradual.
The study suggests that limiting screen time to less than an hour per day could serve as a safety threshold, reducing the chances of developing nearsightedness. Experts also noted that prolonged screen use could lead to other health issues, including poor posture, back pain, and reduced attention spans.
The findings come amid growing concerns over the rising cases of myopia, largely attributed to excessive digital screen use. Researchers hope the study will help guide clinicians and policymakers in addressing what they call the “myopia pandemic.”
