Is too much screen time affecting children's eyesight_

[00:00.39] These days there is so much tempting technology to look at: smartphones, tablets, computer games and TV screens.

[00:09.69] Much of our entertainment and education comes from using them, so it's no wonder we spend so much time staring at them.

[00:18.72] But even if the saying that looking at a screen for too long gives you square eyes isn't true, there is still some concern that it can affect your eyesight. So, should we be worried?

[00:32.27] Certainly for children who spend hours glued to a screen there is a concern that their health might be at risk.

[00:39.97] The lack of physical activity can lead to an increase in their weight.

[00:44.75] But there is a fear that their eyesight is deteriorating too.

[00:49.53] Although there's not much evidence to prove this yet, recent findings have opened our eyes to the issue.

[00:56.70] Katherine Sellgren from BBC News spoke to Chris Hammond, professor of ophthalmology at King's College London and consultant ophthalmic surgeon at St Thomas' Hospital.

[01:07.60] He said "We know that myopia, or short-sightedness, is becoming more common…

[01:12.64] It has reached epidemic levels in East Asia, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, where approaching 90% of 18-year-olds are now short-sighted."

[01:23.53] But can this be linked to children's obsession with using electronic gadgets?

[01:29.38] Annegret Dahlmann-Noor, consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London says lack of natural light seems to be the key issue.

[01:38.94] She's suggested that children in East Asia study a lot, using computers, smartphones or tablets, and they are go outside less, which could be a cause of short-sightedness.

[01:51.42] Wearing glasses is one solution, but it's not ideal.

[01:55.67] This leads to a dilemma: achieving short-term academic success or protecting your long-term eyesight.

[02:03.91] It's always going to be a challenge to drag children away from their screens and it's likely that more and more studying will be done online, through a screen.

[02:13.73] But despite that, Professor Hammond says, "in countries like urban China, where 10% of children in each class per year are becoming short-sighted from about the age of six, there's an argument for saying we should be trying to prevent it."

[02:29.14] It's evidence we can't turn a blind eye to.

[02:31.80] So, maybe it's time to hit the 'off' button and get our children outside?