Prolonged screen time causes permanent damage to a person's eyesight.

Is it true that prolonged screen time causes permanent damage to a person's eyesight?

Partly. Evidence on prolonged screen time and eyesight is mixed and partial: several reviews report eye strain, computer vision syndrome, and increased myopia risk, while other sources state there is no evidence of permanent damage and that digital eye strain is non-vision-threatening. No retrieved item establishes permanent eyesight damage.

Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 4 sources for, 2 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

N, E. S., MI, P. M., AB, F. C., & EH, H. R. (2025). Effects on Prolonged Screen Time on Postural Health and Visual Health in Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.2147/orr.s519541

Does looking at a monitor screen in a room with very low light source damage your eyes?. (2023). skeptics.stackexchange.com. https://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/55462/does-looking-at-a-monitor-screen-in-a-room-with-very-low-light-source-damage-you

Lissak, G. (2018). Adverse physiological and psychological effects of screen time on children and adolescents: Literature review and case study.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2018.01.015

Digital Eye Strain- A Comprehensive Review - PMC Lock. (n.d.). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-022-00540-9

Exploring the Influence of Screen Time on Myopia Risk in Preschoolers and Adults. (2024). hal.science. https://hal.science/hal-05133871v1

Muller, H. (2023). Impact of Excessive Screen Time for Work Entertainment on Eyesight. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.47604/ijs.1826