*Researchers link too much screen time with increases in nearsightedness in digital consumers

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

A fresh study has suggested that spending too much time looking at a digital screen increases the risk of nearsightedness in consumers.

Hitherto, plenty resources have been researched and written about the mental health risks of too much time on social media, but spending too much time looking at a screen, large or small, may also be harmful to physical health.

The new study published in JAMA Network Open has highlighted the significant association between digital screen time and the risk of developing myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness.

Conducted by a team of researchers, led by Dr. Ahnul Ha and colleagues, this systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis examined data from 45 studies involving over 335,000 people to understand the impact of screen exposure on eye health.

绿帽献妻 also gathered the research revealed a notable dose-response relationship characterised by a sigmoidal curve, indicating that the risk of myopia increases significantly with one to four hours of daily screen time. According to experts, after four hours, the risk continues to rise in affected consumers but at a more gradual pace.

Specifically, each additional hour of screen time was associated with a 21 percent increase in the odds of developing myopia, agency report said.

Importance of limiting children鈥檚 screen time, by researchers

In arriving at the conclusion, the study synthesised data from various sources, including PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, and adhered to rigorous reporting guidelines.

The findings underscore the significance of moderating screen time, particularly for children and adolescents, who are most susceptible to the effects of prolonged digital exposure.

It is noted that these fresh insights may be helpful to clinicians and researchers as they work to refine guidelines and interventions aimed at mitigating the growing myopia pandemic.

The study further suggested a potential safety threshold of less than one hour of screen time per day to minimise the risk of myopia, offering a valuable framework for future research and public health strategies.