Can screen time make my prescription worse?
In adults, screen use does not cause refractive error to progress. In children the picture is different and is still being studied, with near work and limited outdoor time both associated with the development of short sightedness.
- Subject
- Screens
- Topic
- Screens & prescription change
- Kind of question
- Other questions
- Last reviewed
- 22 September 2026
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Where this answer sits
It is one of 483 answers in the vision and eye health knowledge base, filed under Screens & digital eye strain in Screens & prescription change . The subject page carries the answers either side of it, and the hub is searchable.
This information is for educational purposes and does not replace an examination by a qualified eye-care professional.
General answers cannot tell you what is happening in your own eyes. Only an examination by a qualified ophthalmologist can do that.
Sources & further reading
We prefer primary sources. Where a claim comes from a manufacturer, a single study or a regulator, it is labelled as such below.
- EyeSmart: eye health information for the public
Patient-facing material from the largest ophthalmology professional body, covering conditions, tests and treatments outside refractive surgery.
Used for Cross-checking patient-facing explanations of non-refractive eye conditions; Describing what tests such as dilation and OCT involve.
Link checked 23 September 2026
- Cochrane Library
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Useful for readers who want to know how strong the pooled evidence is, not just what one trial found.
Used for Helping readers judge the strength of the evidence base.
Link checked 22 September 2026