Increased computer use has led to increased rates of myopia
While multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses link screen time and computer use to an increased prevalence of myopia, other studies and reviews find conflicting evidence or no significant association once confounding factors like outdoor time and genetics are controlled.
The retrieved literature contains multiple recent systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and large observational studies demonstrating a positive correlation between increased screen time/computer use and myopia, particularly exacerbated during COVID-19 lockdowns. However, other reviews and studies conclude that the evidence is heterogeneous, mixed, or lacking once confounders are addressed, leading to a CONTESTED verdict.
Katerina Kasatkin, Sree Gowri Sudharshan, Lakumi Dias, Adira Brenner, Emily Reilly, Maikel Mansour. Is Increased Screen Time Associated with a Higher Prevalence of Myopia in Elementary-aged Children Globally?. 2025. https://doi.org/10.31986/issn.2689-0690_rdw.stratford_research_day.107_2025
Most studies reviewed show a positive correlation between increased screen time and myopia prevalence.
Ahmed M Khalaf, Amro Y Alhazimi, Khalid K Almaymuni, Noura A Alsubaie. Prevalence of Myopia Among Schoolchildren and the Impact of Increased Screen Time: A Systematic Review.. 2024. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.66815
A systematic review found that overall evidence did not support a significant association between screen time and myopia in school children.
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Hammaad Khalid, Ali Istanaksai, Mishelle Abbasi. Screen Time and Myopia-Related Outcomes in European Children: A Systematic Review. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3390/vision10030043
Systemic review notes an association between screen-related behaviours and myopia-related outcomes.
Zhiqiang Zong, Yaxin Zhang, Jianchao Qiao, Yuan Tian, Shaojun Xu. The association between screen time exposure and myopia in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis.. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19113-5
Meta-analysis found a statistically significant correlation between screen time and myopia, especially with computer use.
Joshua Foreman, Arief Tjitra Salim, Anitha Praveen, Dwight Fonseka, Daniel Shu Wei Ting, Ming Guang He, Rupert R A Bourne, Jonathan Crowston, Tien Y Wong, Mohamed Dirani. Association between digital smart device use and myopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2589-7500(21)00135-7
Smart device screen time was significantly associated with myopia in a meta-analysis.
Jiaxing Wang, Ying Li, David C Musch, Nan Wei, Xiaoli Qi, Gang Ding, Xue Li, Jing Li, Linlin Song, Ying Zhang, Yuxian Ning, Xiaoyu Zeng, Ning Hua, Shuo Li, Xuehan Qian. Progression of Myopia in School-Aged Children After COVID-19 Home Confinement.. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.6239
COVID-19 home confinement with increased screen time and less outdoor time was associated with a myopic shift in young children.
Lijuan Zhao, Xiujun Jiang, Wenhui Zhang, Li Hao, Yuting Zhang, Shangxi Wu, Bing Zhu, Hong Xu. Prevalence and risk factors of myopia among children and adolescents in Hangzhou.. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-73388-7
Prolonged exposure to electronic screens was identified as a risk factor for myopia among students.
Mila Dragomirova, Albena Antonova, Slavena Stoykova, Gergana Mihova, Denitsa Grigorova. Myopia in Bulgarian school children: prevalence, risk factors, and health care coverage.. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-022-02471-2
Screen time was not found to be associated with increased odds of myopia when accounting for other risk factors in a study of Bulgarian children.
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