This myth is probably one of the most common in modern parenting. It sounds intuitive – a close screen forces the eye to strain, and therefore it "shortens" vision. However, in the field of myopia the biological principle is different: It usually results from elongation of the eyeball, so that the image focuses in front of the retina. Such a process is influenced by genetics and environment, but not in a way that explains "glasses because of half an hour close to the television".
So what is true in the myth? Watching up close can cause eye fatigue, headaches, dryness and temporary blur, phenomena known as "visual load" or near-work strain. Blinking also decreases in front of screens, which increases dryness and burning. These are real symptoms, but they are not necessarily permanent myopia.
How did the myth develop? Part of it stems from children's behavior. A child who moves very close to the screen sometimes does so because they already do not see well from a distance. Instead of the screen causing myopia, the myopia is what brings the child closer to the screen. This is one of the important reasons why the professional recommendation is not only to remark to the child, but to check whether there is a change in vision, especially if there is increased blinking, half-closed eyes or complaints of headaches.
The current medical truth about myopia is more complex, and it is related to what is called prolonged "near work" – reading, writing, prolonged use of screens, alongside less time outdoors in natural light. A systematic review and meta-analysis on near work found a connection between near-work conditions and myopia, although it is not always easy to separate between different lifestyle factors.
In recent years, data have also accumulated on a connection between screen time and myopia in children and young people, with an increased risk as daily exposure rises, while researchers emphasize that this is mixed with less time spent in outdoor activity.
So should you "move away from the screen"? Not in the sense of fear of ruining the eyes, but yes in the sense of healthy habits. A comfortable distance from the screen reduces strain, breaks help the eye muscles relax, and incorporating time outdoors is considered an important protective factor in children. The simple recommendation for the family is not to turn the television into a single scapegoat, but to manage screen time, ensure appropriate lighting, encourage going outside and pay attention to signs that hint at a real vision problem.
On the other hand, if a child consistently moves closer to the screen, it is not necessarily a "bad habit", it may be a sign that they have difficulty seeing from a distance, and therefore an eye examination is a necessary step. Here the parent benefits from the old myth as a trigger for attention, not as a causal explanation.
Bottom line, a close screen can tire the eyes and cause discomfort, but myopia is determined by a broad combination of factors, and the effective solution is healthy visual habits and checking when needed, not just moving the child two meters back.