Having good near work habits is essential for maintaining eye health, particularly in children, as it helps reduce the risk of developing or worsening myopia (nearsightedness) and other vision problems. Good habits such as maintaining an appropriate distance from screens or reading materials, using proper lighting, and taking frequent vision breaks help promote healthy visual development in children and prevent overstressing the eyes
Near work activities involve tasks that require focusing the eyes on close objects for extended periods. These activities typically occur within a short distance from the eyes, usually less than 30 cm. Common near work activities include reading, using digital devices, writing, craftwork, playing video games etc.
Research has indicated that children who engage in more than 30 minutes of continuous near work without breaks have an increased risk of myopia.1 Near work activities, when done without proper breaks or over long periods, can lead to eye strain and increase the risk of myopia, especially in children. Proper habits like maintaining a reasonable distance, ensuring good lighting, and taking regular breaks can help mitigate the risks.
References
1. https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2212924
Studies show that the amount of time spent on digital screens significantly correlates with the development of myopia. Modern youth, particularly those engaged in education, spend an increasing amount of time on near work activities, primarily through digital screen use. This shift is associated with rising rates of myopia, as prolonged screen exposure contributes to eye strain and axial elongation, a key factor in myopia progression.2
While it’s impractical to eliminate the use of essential digital tools like computers, especially in educational contexts, establishing limits on screen time (less than an hour per day) can help mitigate the effects of excessive near work. Setting clear boundaries, incorporating regular breaks (such as the 20-20-20 rule), and encouraging outdoor activities are effective strategies to reduce eye strain and slow the progression of myopia.
References
2. https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2212924
With the rise of the digital age, children are increasingly spending time indoors, as digital devices permeate various aspects of life, from work and entertainment to social activities and information gathering. As a result, outdoor time has diminished, potentially contributing to the development and progression of myopia. Research suggests that exposure to natural light plays a role in regulating eye growth, and reduced time spent outdoors may lead to higher rates of myopia.
Studies indicate that nearly one in four children spend more than three hours a day using digital devices3, when they could benefit from outdoor activities. Increased outdoor time has been shown to delay the onset of myopia by 11-34%4. One possible explanation is that sunlight may help activate vitamin D, which could influence eye growth. Additionally, outdoor activities often involve more distance-vision tasks, reducing the strain on the eyes caused by prolonged near work. Encouraging outdoor play and reducing excessive screen time can help protect children’s vision and mitigate the risk of myopia progression.
References
3. https://www.allaboutvision.com/parents/myopia-causes.htm
4. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/18/606
Having good Near Work Habits or hygiene is a key part of Myopia prevention. Children may not realise that taking care of their eyes at their young tender age is beneficial to their eyes for the rest of their adult life. We recommend that children adopt these simple yet good Near Work Habits to prevent the onset of Myopia:
Regular glasses and contact lenses can help children see more clearly, but they do not slow down the progression of myopia, which means children may need increasingly stronger prescriptions as they continue to grow. However, special types of defocus glasses and contact lenses—including soft lenses—can slow down the speed at which myopia develops. According to the American Optometric Association, contact lenses for children with myopia can slow the progression of nearsightedness, providing a more effective and efficient treatment option.
Controlling myopia in children is important because as their eyes grow and their myopia increases, the dependency on glasses increases. This can reduce the ability of children to participate actively in sports and other activities. Increasing myopia can also lead to multiple eye health problems in the future.
We can’t change our childrens’ genetic potential, but we can take steps to ensure that we’re doing all we can to keep them healthy.
