Every extra hour in front of a screen worsens vision

Every extra hour per day in front of the screen increases the risk of myopia by 21 percent according to a new comprehensive review.

» Published: February 24 2025

Every extra hour in front of a screen worsens vision
Photo: Gorm Kallestad/NTB/TT

Share this article

Already earlier, researchers have seen a connection between the amount of time we spend in front of screens and the risk of developing nearsightedness. But the results have varied somewhat, and in some studies, it has been seen that time in front of computers, but not phones, seems to increase the risk.

Now, researchers from, among others, South Korea, have gone through the collected research in the area and seen that screen use overall can be linked to nearsightedness. In total, they have looked at 45 different studies with over 335,000 participants up to 18 years old.

Dose effect

They found that every extra hour spent in front of digital screens per day increases the risk of developing nearsightedness by 21 percent. The largest risk increase was seen between one and four hours of screen time per day. Those who used screens for four hours per day had almost twice as high a risk of developing nearsightedness as those who used screens for one hour per day. After four hours, the risk increase leveled out.

The researchers, who have published their results in Jama Network Open, note that it may be other activities, such as reading books, and genetic factors that also lie behind the risk increase. But since more and more people are becoming nearsighted as various forms of screens take up an increasingly large part of our time, they believe it is likely that there is a connection.

Take seriously

They write that since the use of smartphones globally has increased from 22 percent in 2014 to 69 percent in 2023, the connection may be worth taking seriously.

The advice for avoiding negative effects on vision is to take breaks. The eye needs to exercise focusing on things far away. Even daylight has in investigations been shown to be able to reduce the risk of nearsightedness.

A common tip is the so-called 20-20-20 rule. It means that during the time in front of a screen, you should look 20 meters away every 20 minutes, and keep the gaze for 20 seconds. In this way, the eye muscles get a chance to relax.

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Västergötland Residents Advised to Boil Water Due to Cloudiness
1 MIN READ

Västergötland Residents Advised to Boil Water Due to Cloudiness

Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic May Aid Cocaine Addiction Recovery
1 MIN READ

Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic May Aid Cocaine Addiction Recovery

Social Democrats Push for Profit Ban in Schools After Bregott Scandal
2 MIN READ

Social Democrats Push for Profit Ban in Schools After Bregott Scandal

SMHI Warns of Heavy Rain and Flood Risk in Western Sweden
1 MIN READ

SMHI Warns of Heavy Rain and Flood Risk in Western Sweden

Suspect Identified in Malmö Train Accident Investigation
1 MIN READ

Suspect Identified in Malmö Train Accident Investigation

Kristersson and Åkesson Disagree Over Stegrud's Cultural Canon Remarks
2 MIN READ

Kristersson and Åkesson Disagree Over Stegrud's Cultural Canon Remarks

Man Sentenced for Insulting Police Officer in Landmark Case
1 MIN READ

Man Sentenced for Insulting Police Officer in Landmark Case

Norwegian Man Arrested in Oslo for Gothenburg Double Murder
3 MIN READ

Norwegian Man Arrested in Oslo for Gothenburg Double Murder

Four Suspected of Kidnapping in Växjö as Missing Woman Found Safe
1 MIN READ

Four Suspected of Kidnapping in Växjö as Missing Woman Found Safe

Boulder Blocks Ore Railway Trains Between Luleå and Narvik
1 MIN READ

Boulder Blocks Ore Railway Trains Between Luleå and Narvik

Government Proposes Stricter Rules for Dangerous Dog Ownership
2 MIN READ

Government Proposes Stricter Rules for Dangerous Dog Ownership

Hesa Fredrik Test Fails in Scania Due to Technical Issues
1 MIN READ

Hesa Fredrik Test Fails in Scania Due to Technical Issues

Woman Sentenced for Moving Park Bench in Romantic Gesture
1 MIN READ

Woman Sentenced for Moving Park Bench in Romantic Gesture

Woman Found Dead in Västerås; Murder Investigation Launched
1 MIN READ

Woman Found Dead in Västerås; Murder Investigation Launched

Increased GPS Disruptions in Swedish Airspace Over Baltic Sea
2 MIN READ

Increased GPS Disruptions in Swedish Airspace Over Baltic Sea

Malmö Apartment Targeted in Second Shooting Incident
2 MIN READ

Malmö Apartment Targeted in Second Shooting Incident

Extreme Fires Becoming Common in Portugal and Spain
2 MIN READ

Extreme Fires Becoming Common in Portugal and Spain

Minister Warns of Dangers in Normalizing Choking Sex Among Youth
2 MIN READ

Minister Warns of Dangers in Normalizing Choking Sex Among Youth

Choking Sex Poses Serious Risks: Safe Words Often Fail, Experts Warn
4 MIN READ

Choking Sex Poses Serious Risks: Safe Words Often Fail, Experts Warn

Using a Phone on the Toilet May Raise Hemorrhoid Risk by 46%
2 MIN READ

Using a Phone on the Toilet May Raise Hemorrhoid Risk by 46%