Logo Specialty Vision Horizontal White
Icon Specialty Vision Fullcolor1

Understanding Screen Time Addiction

In today's interconnected world, screens have become an integral part of our daily lives.

Almost 50% of 18-64 Americans spend more than seven hours daily viewing digital screens.

The rapid increase in screen time, especially among children and young adults, has raised significant concerns about its impact on our physical health, mental well-being, and social development.

Table of Contents

Is Screen Time Bad For Our Eyes?

Excessive screen time significantly heightens the risk of eye health issues, including myopia, Digital Eye Strain (DES), and Dry Eye Disease (dry eye disease). Prolonged and frequent screen use impacts blinking dynamics and tear production, leading to cumulative effects over time.

  • Myopia: A 2021 study found a 30% higher risk of developing myopia with increased screen time.
  • Digital Eye Strain (DES): Up to 90% of digital device users report symptoms after as little as two hours of continuous screen time.
  • Dry Eye Disease (dry eye disease): Screen use over 8 hours daily nearly doubles the risk of dry eye disease, with long-term use (8–12+ years) increasing the odds of tear production issues by 2.49 to 3.61 times.

The Rise of Screen Time: A Growing Trend

Recent studies have highlighted alarming trends in screen time usage across all age groups, but particularly among children and adolescents:

  • According to a 2023 survey by Deloitte Access Economics, approximately 104 million Americans aged 18-64 (nearly 50% of this age group) spend more than seven hours daily viewing digital screens.
  • The same survey found that almost 70% of individuals working office jobs are exposed to excessive screen time, compared to 42% of individuals in other professions.
  • The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reports that on average, children ages 8-12 spend 4-6 hours a day watching or using screens, while teens spend up to 9 hours.

These statistics underscore the pervasive nature of screen use in modern society and highlight the need for a deeper understanding of its impacts.

The Impact of Excessive Screen Time on Eye Health

One of the most immediate and noticeable effects of prolonged screen use is on our eye health. The American Optometric Association (AOA) has identified several vision-related issues associated with excessive screen time:

Digital Eye Strain (DES)

Also known as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), DES is a group of eye and vision-related problems resulting from prolonged digital device use. Symptoms include:

  • Eye fatigue and discomfort
  • Dry eyes
  • Headaches
  • Blurred vision
  • Neck and shoulder pain

A 2022 study published in Ophthalmology and Therapy found that up to 90% of digital device users experience symptoms of DES. The study also noted that even two hours of continuous screen time can induce DES symptoms.

Myopia Progression Caused by Screen Time

Increasing evidence suggests a link between excessive near-work activities (including screen use) and the development and progression of myopia (nearsightedness), especially in children:

  • A 2021 meta-analysis published in The Lancet Digital Health found that increased digital screen time was associated with a 30% higher risk of myopia.
  • The World Health Organization predicts that by 2050, half of the world's population may be myopic, with excessive screen time being a contributing factor.

Dry Eye Disease (dry eye disease) in Digital Screen Users

  • The estimated prevalence of dry eye disease among workers who use digital screens ranges widely from 9.5% to 87.5%, indicating a significant potential impact.
  • Office workers using screens for more than 4 hours per day had 1.83 times higher odds of experiencing severe dry eye symptoms compared to those with less screen time.
  • Individuals using screens for more than 8 hours daily had 1.94 times higher risk of definite or probable dry eye disease.
  • Each 1-hour increase in daily screen time was associated with:
    • 1.18 times higher odds of clinically diagnosed dry eye disease
    • 1.11 times higher odds of severe dry eye symptoms in men
    • 1.12 times higher odds of severe dry eye symptoms in women

The Impact of Extended Digital Screen Time on Dry Eye

  • Screen use exceeding 8 hours per day was linked to 1.55 times higher odds of symptomatic dry eye compared to less than 4 hours of daily use.
  • Working on digital screens for 8-12 years was associated with 2.49 times higher odds of reduced tear production (Schirmer I score ≤5mm).
  • This risk increased to 3.61 times for those working with screens for more than 12 years, suggesting a cumulative effect of prolonged screen use.

Impact on Children:

  • The prevalence of smartphone use was significantly higher in children with dry eye disease (71.4%) compared to those without dry eye disease (50%).
  • Daily smartphone use in children was associated with 1.86 times higher odds of developing dry eye disease.
  • Total daily screen time across all devices was linked to 1.82 times higher odds of dry eye disease in children.
  • In a larger study:
    • 96.7% of children with dry eye disease used smartphones compared to 55.4% without dry eye disease.
    • Children with dry eye disease averaged 3.18 hours of daily smartphone use, compared to 0.62 hours for those without dry eye disease.
    • Computer use was also higher in the dry eye disease group (1.10 hours) compared to the non-dry eye disease group (0.76 hours).

Effects on Blinking Dynamics:

  • Blink rate decreased dramatically during screen use:
    • From 22 blinks per minute at rest to 10 blinks per minute when reading a book
    • Further reduced to 7 blinks per minute when viewing a screen
  • During computer game play, blink rate decreased to about 42% of the resting rate.
  • The percentage of incomplete blinks increased with screen use:
    • 80% of blinks were incomplete at baseline
    • This increased to 88-92% during video game play
  • Comparative studies found:
    • 7.02% of blinks were incomplete when reading on a computer
    • Only 4.33% of blinks were incomplete when reading from printed material
  • Task complexity on screens further impacted blinking:
    • Blink frequency was 5.0 per minute during an active computer task
    • This increased to 16.0 per minute when passively watching a video

These statistics highlight the significant impact of screen time on dry eye disease risk and ocular surface health, with notable effects on both adults and children. The data on blinking dynamics provides insight into potential mechanisms behind this association, emphasizing how screen use alters natural eye behaviors that maintain ocular surface health.

Possible ocular impact of digital screen time

There are various opinions regarding additional negative effects of digital screen time, although the science is yet to be decidry eye disease. 


Blue light: Digital devices contain light in the blue spectrum, which has been shown to impact the circadian rhythm cycle which regulates hormones and sleep. Furthermore this wavelength may cause damage to the retina. 

The Science: There is not enough evidence of the impact of blue light on the retina and circadian rhythm, but even if we assumed it to be true, the amount of blue light coming from digital devices is insignificant when compared to being outdoors, making this a yet-to-be resolved question. 

Glaucoma and Screen Time: There are some studies that point to a possible connection between screen time and glaucoma, with some speculating that extended screen use may increase intraocular pressure.   

The Science: The research is very limited and at this time the consensus is that there is no causal relationship known between screen time and glaucoma. 

Straining the visual system

Extended periods of near work, such as using digital screens, can lead to significant visual strain, but the root cause is not the digital nature of the task itself—it’s the prolonged focus on close-up activities. Symptoms such as eye strain, tired eyes, blurred vision, headaches, and difficulty concentrating often arise from extended near tasks, whether on screens or printed material.

These issues are intensified by factors such as:

  • Improper viewing angles, deviating from the normal reading position.
  • Small text sizes that require more effort to focus on.
  • Screens positioned too close to the eyes.
  • Uncorrected or suboptimal vision prescriptions.
  • Eye teaming challenges (vergence dysfunctions), making it difficult to align both eyes on the target.
  • Eye focusing difficulties (accommodative dysfunctions), affecting the ability to maintain sharp focus.
  • Poor eye movement control (oculomotor dysfunctions), hindering smooth tracking, target jumps, or detailed reading.

 

If extended near work such as reading or being on a phone causes headaches, fatigue, or severe discomfort, visit a developmental or functional optometrist to evaluate for an underlying vision problem. Issues such as binocular vision and convergence insufficiency, eye tracking and eye focusing, are thought to impact 1 in 5 people, yet are rarely identified during a standard eye exam. 

Beyond Eye Health: Broader Physical Impacts

Excessive screen time affects more than just our eyes. Research has identified several other physical health concerns:

Musculoskeletal Issues

Prolonged device use, especially with poor posture, can lead to various musculoskeletal problems:

  • A 2019 study in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders found that smartphone overuse was significantly associated with neck and shoulder pain among adolescents.

 

Obesity and Metabolic Health

Sedentary behavior associated with excessive screen time has been linked to obesity and related health issues:

  • A 2020 systematic review in Obesity Reviews found a strong association between screen time and obesity in children and adolescents.
  • Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism in 2022 linked excessive screen time to increased risk of metabolic syndrome in adults.

Cardiovascular Health

Prolonged sitting and screen use may have negative impacts on cardiovascular health:

  • A 2019 study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that adults who spent more than 4 hours daily watching TV had a 50% higher risk of heart disease and early death compared to those who watched less than 2 hours.

Mental Health and Cognitive Impacts

The effects of excessive screen time extend beyond physical health, significantly impacting mental well-being and cognitive function:

Attention and Cognitive Development

Concerns have been raised about the impact of screen time on attention spans and cognitive development, especially in children:

  • A 2019 study in JAMA Pediatrics found that excessive screen time in children under 5 was associated with lower scores on developmental screening tests.
  • Research published in Scientific Reports in 2021 suggested that high screen time was linked to lower cognitive abilities in children aged 8-11.

Mental Health Issues

Multiple studies have found associations between excessive screen time and various mental health concerns:

  • A 2021 meta-analysis in Computers in Human Behavior reported a significant association between screen time and depression risk in adults.
  • Another study published in Preventive Medicine Reports in 2022 found that adolescents with higher screen time had increased risks of anxiety and depression.

Sleep Disturbances

The impact of screen time on sleep is well-documented:

  • A 2019 systematic review in Sleep Medicine Reviews confirmed that screen time is adversely associated with sleep outcomes in children and adolescents.
  • The blue light emitted by screens has been shown to suppress melatonin production, disrupting natural sleep-wake cycles.

The Impact of Excessive Screen Time on Productivity

Multitasking and Cognitive Load

  • A 2018 study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that even the presence of smartphones can reduce cognitive capacity, impacting task performance.
  • Research published in Computers in Human Behavior in 2020 showed that media multitasking (using multiple screens simultaneously) was associated with poorer attention and memory.

The Relationship Between Screen Time and Addiction

The addictive potential of digital devices, particularly smartphones and social media, has become a growing concern:

Internet Gaming Disorder

  • Recognized by the World Health Organization, Internet Gaming Disorder is characterized by impaired control over gaming and increasing priority given to gaming over other activities.
  • A 2021 meta-analysis in Addictive Behaviors reported a global prevalence of 3.05% for Internet Gaming Disorder, with higher rates among younger populations.

Social Media Addiction

A 2022 study in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking found that up to 5% of adolescents meet the criteria for social media addiction.

Research published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions in 2023 linked excessive social media use to symptoms similar to those seen in substance use disorders, including mood modification, tolerance, and withdrawal.

Neurobiological Basis

A 2019 neuroimaging study in Addictive Behaviors Reports showed that excessive smartphone use was associated with decreased gray matter volume in certain brain regions, similar to changes seen in substance addiction.

Social and Behavioral Impacts

Excessive screen time can also affect social skills and behavior:

  • A 2020 study in JAMA Pediatrics found that higher levels of screen time at 24 months were associated with poorer performance on developmental screening tests at 36 months.
  • Research published in Child Development in 2021 suggested that excessive screen time in adolescents was linked to decreased social skills and increased behavioral problems.

Striking a Balance in the Digital Age

While the risks associated with excessive screen time are significant, it's important to recognize that digital technologies are an integral part of modern life. The goal should not be to eliminate screen time entirely but to find a healthy balance that allows us to harness the benefits of technology while minimizing its potential negative impacts.

By staying informed about the latest research, implementing effective strategies to manage screen time, and prioritizing regular eye health check-ups, we can navigate the digital landscape more safely. As we continue to study and understand the long-term effects of our increasingly digital lifestyles, it's crucial that we remain adaptable, adjusting our habits and policies to promote health and well-being in the digital age.

Common Questions

Digital eye strain, also known as Computer Vision Syndrome, refers to a group of eye-related issues caused by prolonged screen use.
Excessive screen time can lead to dry eyes, blurred vision, and eye fatigue, among other issues.
Yes, studies have shown that excessive screen time is associated with increased risks of anxiety and depression.
Symptoms include eye fatigue, discomfort, dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision.
Limit screen time, take regular breaks, and maintain proper posture while using devices.
Yes, children are increasingly at risk for screen time addiction, which can impact their development.
Generally, more than 2 hours of screen time per day is considered excessive for both adults and children.
Yes, prolonged screen time can contribute to long-term conditions such as myopia and chronic dry eye.
Amplify EyeCare cartoon

Understanding Screen Time Addiction

Explore the effects of screen time addiction on mental health and eye health. Learn how to manage your digital device use effectively.

Logo Specialty Vision Stacked Fullcolor1

Find a Doctor

starchevron-downarrow-up