Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis: Smart Device Exposure and its Associations with Myopia

Article: Screen time linked to risk of myopia in young people
Source: Anglia Ruskin University (U.K.)
Published: October 7, 2021 

Researchers in the U.K. conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating smart device exposure and myopia in children and young adults between 3 months and 33 years of age. They report this being the most comprehensive study yet regarding the myopia epidemic. From a database search that yielded over 3,000 articles, the two reviewers assessed 286 full-text articles for eligibility, resulting in 33 articles included in the systematic review and 11 articles included in the meta-analysis. A high heterogeneity between studies was noted, due to factors such as variability in sample size, the mean age of participants (3-16 years), the standard error of the estimated odds of prevalent or incident myopia, and the use of continuous versus categorical screen time variables. Nonetheless, the authors extrapolate that "[s]mart device exposure might be associated with an increased risk of myopia." In particular, they found that high levels of smart device screen time was associated with roughly 30% higher risk of myopia; when combined with excessive computer use, that risk rose to roughly 80%. The researchers caution that "[r]esearch with objective measures of screen time and myopia-related outcomes that investigates smart device exposure as an independent risk factor is required." However, they also note the importance of research in this topic, especially at a time when millions of children and young people around the world are spending substantial amounts of time doing near work and using digital devices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

My rating of this study: ⭐⭐⭐

Foreman J, Salim AT, Praveen A, et al. "Association between digital smart device use and myopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis." The Lancet Digital Health.  5 October 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2589-7500(21)00135-7