June 16, 2025
By Ashley Tucker, OD, FAAO, FSLS, ABO Diplomate
Another school year has come to a close, and summer is officially here! For many parents, striking the right balance during the summer months can be a daunting challenge—giving kids the freedom to enjoy a break from academics while also creating opportunities for enrichment. At the same time, there’s growing concern about the impact of increased screen time on children’s vision. As their eye care providers, families look to us for guidance. This is an opportunity to share practical, achievable tips that support both healthy vision and a well-rounded summer routine.
Outdoor Time
Outdoor time has been proven to prevent the onset of myopia. In fact, spending approximately two hours per day outdoors can significantly decrease a child’s risk of developing myopia.1 Many kids play outdoor sports year-round, but for those who don’t, summer is a great time to introduce a daily routine that incorporates outdoor time.
Here are some helpful ideas we can share with patients and their families to encourage more outdoor time for kids this summer.
- Go for a walk, bike ride or scooter ride around the neighborhood or on a nearby trail.
- Choose one meal per day to enjoy outdoors—on the back porch, in the backyard, or as a picnic at the park.
- Walk the dog or care for outdoor pets.
- Plan backyard games such as hide-and-seek, tag, water balloon tosses, or an obstacle course.
- Cool off with a swim—at home, a local pool, or a community splash pad.
- Start a small garden with flowers or herbs—kids love to watch things grow!
- Sidewalk fun—chalk art or hopscotch.
Finding the Right Balance
Outdoor time is incredibly valuable—but if kids spend the rest of their day glued to digital devices, much of that benefit is lost. True balance means not just getting outside, but also limiting excessive screen time that can contribute to eye strain and potentially myopia progression. Many parents feel overwhelmed when it comes to navigating screen time — especially during the unstructured days of summer. Small, consistent changes can make a big difference.
Here are some practical tips you can share with families in your practice:
- Set clear screen time boundaries — Create designated “no screen” blocks during the day, especially before bedtime and in the morning. Use tools like screen timers or parental control apps to help reinforce limits.
- Pair screen time with outdoor time — For every hour of screen time, encourage one to two hours outdoors. Make it a rule: More green time and less screen time – and — screen time after outdoor time.
- Designate screen-free zones — Keep devices out of bedrooms, dining areas, and outdoor spaces.
Sleep is Essential
Lastly, although summertime is often coupled with late nights, encourage parents to keep their children on a consistent bedtime — even if it is later than during the school year. Children who go to bed late, get inadequate sleep, or have irregular sleep patterns may be more likely to experience faster axial elongation, especially if combined with high screen time or excessive near work.2-4
Here are the key factors surrounding sleep:
- Aim for nine to 11 hours of quality sleep per night.
- Keep consistent bedtimes and wake-up times, even during the summer.
- Avoid screens at least one hour before bed, as blue light can suppress melatonin and delay sleep onset.
Summer is a time for fun and flexibility, but incorporating some of these simple habits can help prevent unnecessary myopia progression before the new school year begins.
References
1 Xiong, S., et al., Time spent in outdoor activities in relation to myopia prevention and control: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Acta Ophthalmol, 2017. 95(6): p. 551-566.
2 Jee, D., I.G. Morgan, and E.C. Kim, Inverse relationship between sleep duration and myopia. Acta Ophthalmologica, 2016. 94(3).
3 Liu, X.N., et al., Sleeping late is a risk factor for myopia development amongst school-aged children in China. Scientific reports, 2020. 10(1): p. 17194.
4 Ayaki, M., et al., Decreased sleep quality in high myopia children. Scientific Reports, 2016. 6: p. 33902
