It’s unclear whether near-work activities (e.g., reading, using electronic devices) directly cause or worsen myopia. However, there is evidence showing that increased near-work activity is associated with an increased risk of developing myopia in children. It’s important to note that most of the research on near-work and myopia is observational, and there is considerable variability in the nature of near-work activities, making it difficult to infer causality in this situation. In the meantime, it may be prudent to encourage children to take regular breaks from prolonged reading or screen time and to spend more time outdoors.[1]
Does near-work activity cause or worsen myopia?
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•Last Updated: April 23, 2025
The relationship between near-work activities and myopia is unclear, but increased near work is associated with a higher risk of developing myopia in children. Most research is observational, which makes it challenging to establish causality, so encouraging regular breaks and outdoor time for children may be beneficial.