The Canadian Ophthalmological Society is warning parents about overdoing it with gifts of technology for Christmas this year.

According to Dr. Stephanie Dotchin, a pediatric and adult ophthalmologist, a 2022 study had some interesting information about screen time.

“We know that it’s actually concentrated near work that is of concern for progressing of myopia or near sightedness. It’s not just screen time. We are talking about anything that is closer than 30 centimeters. That can be a book, a tablet, or an iphone.”

Dotchin says that it’s the concentrated near work, which is anything closer than 30 centimetres, that can impact our kids’ vision.

It can cause anything from myopia or near-sightedness, to eye fatigue and strain.

She advises people to take breaks from screens and spend time outside.

It’s been found that for every one hour spent outside,  it is estimated that you have a 2 per cent risk reduction in the development of myopia.

For more on how to reduce risks to your child’s vision, catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10.