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Can Spending Time Outdoors Improve Children's Eyesight?
At Nationwide Vision, we’ve seen a steady increase in the number of children diagnosed with myopia—better known as nearsightedness. This rise isn’t limited to just a few regions. Back in the 1970s, roughly 25% of people in the U.S. were affected by myopia. Today, that number has surpassed 40%, and global experts are warning that nearly half of the world’s population could be nearsighted by the year 2050 if current trends continue.
What’s even more alarming is that nearsightedness is showing up earlier in life, putting children at greater risk for more serious vision problems down the road. Many experts point to increased screen time and decreased exposure to natural light as major contributors.
The good news? Spending more time outside may help lower the risk. In this article, the eye care specialists at Nationwide Vision explain how outdoor activity supports healthy vision—and why it’s more important than ever to get your kids off the screen and into the sunlight.
How Screen Time Can Contribute to Kids’ Myopia Development
Children’s eyes, like the rest of their bodies, adapt to how they’re used—especially during the early years when development is most active. That adaptability, however, can become a concern when kids spend the majority of their time looking at screens.
From smartphones and tablets to laptops and gaming consoles, digital devices are now a regular part of many kids’ daily routines. This extended “near work” can cause the eye to adapt in ways that aren’t always beneficial—specifically, by becoming more elongated in shape over time.
As the eye elongates, light no longer focuses correctly on the retina. Instead, it falls short, causing distant objects to appear blurry—a condition we know as myopia. Glasses and contact lenses can improve how well a child sees, but they don’t address the root cause: the structural changes happening inside the eye. That’s why taking preventive steps early on is so important.
Why Managing Myopia Early is Essential
Nearsightedness might seem like a simple issue solved with corrective lenses, but early myopia can be a warning sign of future eye health risks. When myopia begins in childhood and continues to worsen, it significantly raises the chances of developing more serious conditions like retinal detachment, macular degeneration, and glaucoma later in life.
In fact, eye care professionals are now seeing a rise in vision-threatening complications among young patients—something that used to be rare unless trauma or disease was involved. The earlier myopia starts, the more severe these risks can become over time.
That’s why Nationwide Vision encourages early detection and proactive care. Our team works closely with families to monitor changes, recommend treatment options, and help slow the progression of myopia—giving your child the best possible chance at lifelong visual health.
Can Outdoor Playtime Help Reduce the Risk of Nearsightedness in Children?
With screen time on the rise, many parents are looking for ways to protect their children’s eyesight—and one of the most effective solutions might be surprisingly simple: getting outside. Research consistently shows that spending more time outdoors can help lower the likelihood of developing myopia in kids. Here's why outdoor activity matters:
Exposes children to natural lighting
Forces children to focus vision on distant objects like trees
Sunlight is the body’s primary source of Vitamin D, a nutrient essential to immune health, bone strength—and potentially even vision development. Some studies suggest that Vitamin D may help regulate dopamine production in the eye, which in turn may slow the growth of the eyeball and reduce the risk of nearsightedness.
Outdoor play also gives children’s eyes the chance to shift focus between close and faraway objects—something they don’t often do while looking at screens. Whether they’re exploring the park, playing sports, or simply watching clouds roll by, these activities support healthy visual habits. Research indicates that around 76 minutes of outdoor activity each day could reduce the chance of developing myopia by up to 50%. Just a little extra time outdoors can make a big difference in your child’s long-term eye health.
Simple Tips to Help Lower Your Child’s Risk of Myopia
At Nationwide Vision, we understand that protecting your child’s vision is a top priority. Fortunately, there are a few easy steps you can take at home that may help reduce the risk of childhood myopia or slow its progression. Here are some practical habits our eye care experts suggest:
Limit Screen Exposure
With digital devices being a regular part of everyday life, managing screen time can be a challenge—but it’s an important part of maintaining eye health. Prolonged use of screens like tablets and smartphones can strain young eyes and contribute to the early development of nearsightedness.
Guidelines recommend no screen time for children under two (with the exception of video chatting), up to one hour per day for ages two to five, and no more than two hours of non-school-related screen time for older kids.
Encourage Daily Outdoor Activities
Spending time outside is one of the most effective ways to support healthy eye development. Outdoor environments help children focus on distant objects and offer exposure to natural light—both of which are key for preventing myopia.
Try to include at least two hours of outdoor play in your child’s daily routine. Whether it’s a game in the backyard, a walk in the park, or an afternoon at the playground, regular time outside can help protect their eyesight.
Use the 20/20/20 Rule
When your child does use screens, help them follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This short break gives the eyes a chance to reset and can reduce the risk of eye strain and fatigue.
Timers or reminders can be especially helpful for younger children. Over time, this simple technique can become a healthy habit that supports clear and comfortable vision for years to come.
Get A Comprehensive Kids’ Eye Exam at Nationwide Vision
One of the best ways to protect your child’s eyesight and detect myopia early is by scheduling regular eye exams. At Nationwide Vision, our comprehensive eye exams are designed to catch vision concerns early and provide custom care plans tailored to your child’s needs. If nearsightedness is detected, our team can recommend a myopia management strategy to help slow its progression and support healthy vision development.
Find a Nationwide Vision location near you and book your child’s eye exam today. It’s a small step that can make a big difference in helping your child see clearly—now and for years to come.