Small screens can cause big strain on children's eyes

For years, experts have recommended that young children limit their television screen time, but health officials have new concerns now that screens that fit in a pocket are always available.

Prolonged use of small screens, like those on tablets and cell phones, can cause eye strain and may contribute to near-sightedness in children, said Cleveland Clinic ophthalmologist Dr. Marina Eisenberg.

"This is kind of when they're developing their eyes," Eisenberg said. "Their eyes are still growing, especially kids in their teens (and) preteen years."

A recent national survey shows as many as 42 percent of young children have access to their own tablets. Likewise, 98 percent of American homes with children under 8 years of age have mobile devices.

Nearsighted people can see clearly things that are nearby, but distant objects are more difficult. Nearsightedness can be inherited and typically appears in childhood.

Some children are born with a progressive form of nearsightedness, which means their uncorrected eyesight will worsen over time. They may have difficulty reading what their teacher writes on a classroom board.

If parents begin to notice their child is having difficulty seeing things at a distance, it's time to have their eyes checked, Eisenberg said.

To help protect kids' eyes, Eisenberg said moderation is key when it comes to how much time a child spends looking at a small screen.

"Take breaks about every twenty minutes or so," Eisenberg said. "Try to focus on something kind of far away in the room. Blink your eyes a few times before going back to the activity that they're doing."

Current recommendations say children between ages 2 and 5 should limit their screen time to one hour per day. For children 6 and over, they should use screens in moderation.

Screen time is not recommended at all for children under 18 months of age.