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Can Outdoor Play Improve Children's Eyesight?
At eyecarecenter, we’ve seen a steady increase in the number of children diagnosed with myopia, also known as nearsightedness—and the trend is raising concern across the eye care community. In the 1970s, only about one in four Americans had myopia. Today, that number has jumped to over 40%. Global health organizations are warning that if things don’t change, nearly half of the world’s population will be nearsighted by 2050.
What’s especially alarming is how early these vision problems are starting. More children are developing myopia at younger ages, which increases their risk for more serious eye issues later in life. Many experts now believe the rise in screen time and reduced outdoor activity plays a major role in this shift.
The good news? There’s strong evidence that increasing time outdoors may help slow or even prevent the development of myopia in kids. In this article, the vision experts at eyecarecenter take a closer look at how outdoor play can benefit your child’s eyesight—and why making time for sunlight and distance viewing is more important than ever.
How Screen Time Contributes to Childhood Myopia
Like many parts of the human body, our eyes are highly adaptable. Just as we can adjust to dim lighting or build physical endurance through training, our vision evolves based on how we use our eyes daily. But this adaptability can become a problem—especially for children growing up surrounded by digital devices.
Today’s kids are spending more time than ever looking at screens. Whether it’s tablets, smartphones, or laptops, extended screen use often means staring at objects just inches away for long periods. Because children’s eyes are still developing, this constant close-up focus can lead to structural changes—specifically, a gradual elongation of the eyeball.
When the eye becomes elongated, light entering the eye doesn’t focus directly on the retina—it falls in front of it. This results in blurred distance vision, or myopia. While glasses and contacts can redirect light and improve clarity, they don’t address the underlying changes in eye shape. That’s why it’s so important to look beyond correction and focus on prevention.
Why Early-Onset Myopia Shouldn't Be Ignored
Nearsightedness in childhood might seem like a small hurdle—just a new pair of glasses, right? But the reality is that myopia can lead to much more serious vision problems later in life if it progresses unchecked. Children who develop myopia early are more likely to experience complications such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, or even retinal detachment as they get older.
In recent years, eye care professionals have reported more cases of retinal issues in children—something that used to be rare outside of injuries or infections. These trends point to a growing concern in pediatric eye health: the earlier myopia begins, the more severe it can become.
That’s why acting early makes such a difference. At eyecarecenter, we emphasize early detection and management of myopia to help minimize long-term risks. By staying ahead of vision changes now, we can help preserve your child’s eye health well into the future.
Can Time Outside Protect Against Nearsightedness in Kids?
If too much time on digital devices is a major factor in the rise of childhood myopia, what can parents do to counteract it? One simple, science-backed answer: encourage your kids to spend more time outdoors. Research continues to show that regular outdoor play can significantly reduce the risk of nearsightedness in children. Here’s how:
Exposes children to natural lighting
Forces children to focus vision on distant objects like trees
Sunlight is the body’s main source of Vitamin D, which plays an important role in bone health, immune support—and possibly even vision development. Some studies suggest that Vitamin D may help regulate eye growth by increasing dopamine levels in the retina, which can slow the elongation of the eyeball, a key contributor to myopia.
Beyond the benefits of sunlight, being outside naturally encourages kids to use their distance vision. Whether they’re running in the yard, playing sports, or just observing nature, outdoor play gives their eyes a much-needed break from close-up focus. Studies have shown that children who spend at least 76 minutes outdoors each day may cut their risk of developing myopia in half. It’s a small habit that can have a big impact on their long-term eye health.
Simple Ways to Help Prevent Early Myopia in Children
At eyecarecenter, we understand how much parents care about giving their children a healthy start—and that includes protecting their vision. Fortunately, there are a few easy steps you can take at home to help lower the risk of early myopia development. Here’s what our eye care experts recommend:
Cut Back on Screen Time
While screens are part of everyday life, prolonged use can take a toll on your child’s vision. Too much close-up focusing on devices like tablets and smartphones may increase the chances of developing nearsightedness. That’s why it's important to set screen time limits and encourage regular breaks.
General guidelines suggest no screen time for children under two (except for video chatting), up to one hour per day for kids ages two to five, and no more than two hours per day of recreational screen time for older children.
Make Outdoor Play Part of Your Daily Routine
Getting outside is one of the most effective ways to give your child’s eyes a break. Outdoor play naturally encourages distance viewing and exposure to sunlight—both of which support healthy visual development.
Try to incorporate at least two hours of outdoor activity into your child’s day. Whether you go on a nature walk, play sports, or enjoy a backyard adventure, time outside offers both physical and visual benefits.
Practice the 20/20/20 Rule
Help your kids protect their eyes during screen use with the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, have them look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This short pause gives their eyes time to relax and can reduce the risk of eye strain and fatigue.
Use a kitchen timer or digital reminder to make it easy for younger children to follow. With regular practice, it can become a lifelong habit that promotes better vision health.
Get A Comprehensive Kids’ Eye Exam at eyecarecenter
One of the best ways to stay ahead of childhood myopia is by booking regular eye exams. At eyecarecenter, our comprehensive eye exams are designed to catch refractive issues like nearsightedness early and provide customized care based on your child’s unique needs. If myopia is detected, our team can recommend a myopia control plan to help slow its progression and protect your child’s long-term vision.
Find an eyecarecenter location near you and book your child’s eye exam today. It’s a proactive step toward supporting healthy eyes—and a bright future.