Eye Health Kid's Eye Health Does Playing Video Games Hurt Your Eyes? Possible Concerns and Prevention Strategies By Troy Bedinghaus, OD Troy Bedinghaus, OD LinkedIn Troy L. Bedinghaus, OD, board-certified optometric physician, owns Lakewood Family Eye Care in Florida. He is an active member of the American Optometric Association. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 12, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO Facebook Jonathan Jassey, DO, is a board-certified private pediatrician at Bellmore Merrick Medical in Bellmore, New York. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Caregivers often worry about the possible health effects of video games on children—for example, obesity and aggressive behavior. One concern that may not be as top of mind? Whether or not playing video games can hurt a child's eyes. Extended periods of time playing video games can, indeed, cause eye strain, irritation, focusing issues, and more. It's important to take steps to protect your child's eyes if they play video games often. This article reviews some of reasons why your child's eyes hurt after playing video games. You'll also learn how to prevent eyestrain from video games. Rebecca Nelson / Getty Images An Overview of Eye Strain (Asthenopia) Do Video Games Damage Your Eyes? Research has shown that prolonged gameplay without significant breaks can cause eye focusing problems and computer vision syndrome. Kids can experience eye discomfort, irritation, fatigue, blurry vision, and headaches. These symptoms usually don't mean the eye is permanently damaged. If a child stops playing video games—or at least takes breaks—the symptoms should get better. However, players often become so engrossed in video games that they forget to take tear themselves (and their eyes) away. Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) According to the American Optometric Association, people who spend a lot of time on a computer or other screens can develop specific problems with their eyesight. The condition is called computer vision syndrome or CVS. Kids who play video games can get computer vision syndrome. The signs of CVS include: Blurred visionHeadachesDry eyesEyestrainNeck pain, back pain, or shoulder pain Computer vision syndrome symptoms can be made worse by playing games for a long time without a break, playing in dimly lit rooms, sitting too close to the screen, or poor posture while gaming. Kids who already have problems with their eyesight, like astigmatism, might be more likely to get computer vision syndrome. Can Sitting Too Close to the TV Damage Your Eyes? Focus Problems If a child's eyes hurt from playing video games they might also have problems focusing their vision. The eyes focus much differently on a video screen than they do on a flat surface, such as a piece of notebook paper. When looking at printed material, the brain and eyes understand exactly what distance they need to focus. When looking at a video screen, the eyes are constantly changing focus, making the eyes very tired. When playing video games, the eyes tend to become "locked-in" to the screen. This may make it difficult for the eyes to focus easily on other objects, even long after the video game is turned off. Eye Strain: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications Eye Irritation Video games can cause eye irritation, especially if a child is playing for a long time without taking breaks. Kids tend to blink much less frequently while absorbed in a video game or other screen use. Not blinking enough can affect the flow of tears, leading to dryness and irritation. Dry Eyes In Children Reducing Eye Strain and Other Concerns There are steps caregivers and kids can take to help prevent eye problems from playing video games. Here are a few ways to reduce eye strain and protect vision while gaming: Take breaks often (including "blinking breaks") Sit in proper posture while playing Use glasses with an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare from screens Avoid gaming in a dark room Try to limit screen time at night and before going to bed Tips for Reducing Eye Strain Advice for Parents If your kids like playing video games, that's fine. Just encourage them to take frequent breaks while they're gaming to avoid eye problems. Set a timer for 20 minutes, then have them do something else for 5 minutes when the buzzer sounds. Also, make sure your children sit as far away from the video screen as possible. The minimum recommended distance for playing console games, such as PlayStation, Xbox, or Wii, is 6 feet. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends: 10 feet for television screens (depending on the size of the screen)Two feet for desktop computer screens or laptopsOne foot for mobile phones Internet Gaming Disorder: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment Summary Playing video games can affect vision. Gaming for a long time can lead to eye strain, eye irritation, and even computer vision syndrome. Kids can get so into a game they're playing that they forget to take breaks or take other steps to avoid eyestrain, like sitting with proper posture. Also, if kids play video games in a dark room, it can hurt their eyes. There are ways to reduce eye strain from video games. Setting guidelines for your children will help prevent the negative effects of prolonged video gameplay on their eyes. Frequently Asked Questions Can video games cause permanent eye damage? Playing video games for a long time without taking breaks can affect vision and may even lead to "computer vision syndrome." However, these changes to your vision usually are not permanent and can be reduced and avoided by taking steps to prevent eye strain while gaming. Can you get eye strain from playing video games? Using screens for a long time without taking breaks can cause eye strain. The effect can be worse if you're looking at a screen in a dimly lit room, have poor posture, and already have vision problems. How can I protect my eyes while gaming? One of the best ways to protect your eyes while playing video games is by taking breaks. It also helps to make sure you're playing in a well-lit room and not sitting too close to the screen. How many hours of gaming is too much? Eye health experts recommend not playing video games for more than three hours in a single day. That said, children may need to play for less time to avoid eye problems and other health effects of too much gaming. This Video Game Could Help Your Child Manage Anger and Stress Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 7 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Yin K, Zi Y, Zhuang W, et al. Linking Esports to health risks and benefits: Current knowledge and future research needs. J Sport Health Sci. 2020;9(6):485-488. doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2020.04.006 Randolph SA. 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