Screen use in children aged 11-13 and the relationship to ametropia

Authors

  • Fátima Higuera-Domínguez Faculty of Human Medicine, "Dr. Manuel Velasco Suárez," Campus II, UNACH
  • María Fernanda Gordillo Larios Faculty of Human Medicine, "Dr. Manuel Velasco Suárez," Campus II, UNACH
  • Karina Itzel Valencia Rosette Faculty of Human Medicine, "Dr. Manuel Velasco Suárez," Campus II, UNACH
  • Renán Ocaña Morales Faculty of Human Medicine, "Dr. Manuel Velasco Suárez," Campus II, UNACH
  • Eduardo Rosales López Faculty of Human Medicine, "Dr. Manuel Velasco Suárez," Campus II, UNACH
  • Víctor Eliseo Pérez Cadenas Faculty of Human Medicine, "Dr. Manuel Velasco Suárez," Campus II, UNACH
  • Rita María Gaona Guzmán Faculty of Human Medicine, "Dr. Manuel Velasco Suárez," Campus II, UNACH

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31644/AMU.V04.N03.2026.A12

Keywords:

Ametropia, Myopia, Screen use, Children, Visual health, Eye strain, Mobile phones, Screen exposure time, Visual prevention, Visual education

Abstract

The study examines the relationship between the use of screen devices and the onset of visual ametropia in sixth-grade elementary school children. The term ametropia refers to a refractive error that prevents images from forming correctly on the retina. This causes blurred vision, eye strain, and can even lead to poor academic performance. In recent years, the use of screen devices for prolonged periods has been identified as a factor that increases the risk of developing visual problems in childhood. The research was conducted at the Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla elementary school on 50 children between the ages of 11 and 13, using surveys that assessed cell phone usage habits and visual symptoms. The results revealed that 42% of the students had visual symptoms. Within this percentage, 90% used their cell phones for more than two hours a day, particularly in the afternoon. Chi-square statistical analysis (χ² = 6.025, p= 0.049) corroborated the association between exposure time and the onset of visual problems. In conclusion, excessive screen use is considered to be a risk factor for the onset of ametropia, highlighting the need to promote appropriate technological habits and establish visual prevention strategies from childhood.

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Published

2026-04-13

How to Cite

1.
Higuera-Domínguez F, Gordillo Larios MF, Valencia Rosette KI, Ocaña Morales R, Rosales López E, Pérez Cadenas VE, Gaona Guzmán RM. Screen use in children aged 11-13 and the relationship to ametropia. AMU [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 13 [cited 2026 Apr. 14];4(03):101-7. Available from: https://revistas.unach.mx/index.php/revanales/article/view/275

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 03 (2026)

Section

Difusión de la ciencia

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