Eye Care30 January 2025·5 min read·Wootton Clinical Team
Digital devices are integral to modern childhood, but excessive screen time poses risks to developing eyes. Balanced guidance helps children enjoy technology safely.
Potential Concerns Increased myopia (short-sightedness) risk, digital eye strain, reduced outdoor time (associated with myopia progression), and sleep disruption from evening screen use.
Recommended Limits Under 2: avoid screens except video calls. Ages 2-5: maximum one hour daily of quality content. Ages 5+: consistent limits with breaks, no screens one hour before bedtime.
The 20-20-20 Rule for Children Every 20 minutes of screen use, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Encourage outdoor play — two hours daily outdoors is associated with reduced myopia risk.
Signs of Vision Problems Squinting, sitting close to screens, headaches after screen use, rubbing eyes, and covering one eye may indicate vision issues requiring an eye test.
Blue Light and Children Evening screen use affects sleep more than eye health. Enable night modes and establish screen-free bedtime routines.
Book children's eye tests at Wootton Opticians, Wootton Fields. NHS-funded tests available for eligible children.
Topics
- children eye test Northampton
- myopia management Wootton Fields
- children eye health Northamptonshire
Book at our Northampton clinic
9 Tudor Court, Wootton Hope Drive, Northampton, NN4 6FF, UK · Call 01604 875111