Matthew Roe, OD

The Importance of Managing Screen Exposure with Matthew Roe, OD

2025 American Optometric Association Conference

 in Minneapolis, MN, Matthew Roe, OD, associate professor at Midwestern University – Arizona College of Optometry, presented his lecture on the impact of screen time on the 

Several studies in the literature have noted screen time as a critical cause for various ocular disorders. Myopia in particular has been connected to near-vision activities, of which screens such as computers and mobile phones are the most prominent. Children are also being given access to screens at younger ages, potentially expediting the development of several disorders.

“I think it’s really easy for us to get into this trap, thinking that screen time is only an issue for kids because they use screens more than anyone else,” Roe told 

. “They’re definitely much more ubiquitous in Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s everyday lives, but it’s still something that every one of our patients is involved in.”

Roe discussed the behavioral signs that optometrists commonly associate with overexposure to screens. However, he also cautioned against diagnosing disorders such as ADHD and depression early on, as the removal of screens can often result in the remission of these symptoms.

“What the literature has been showing, and especially recently, just in the last couple weeks even, there have been articles published that have been showing that the more time you’re on social media, and the more time you are on screens in general, the clinical chance of anxiety and depression goes significantly higher,” Roe said. “They’ve also found for toddlers and preschoolers, so from ages 2 to 5, if they’re on a screen more than 2 hours per day, then you are increasing the chances of inattention, which is what leads to the ADHD idea.”

However, Roe also noted that these symptoms are not indicative of actual conditions. When the patient is removed from screens for an extended period, they tend to gradually recover.

“An important distinction for everyone to realize is that if you do have clinical depression or clinical anxiety or clinical ADHD, the screens are not going to be what fixes that for you. It’s a true component of your genome,” Roe said. “But if you don’t actually have that as part of your habitual individual traits, then taking screens away and taking a step back will improve those symptoms.”

Roe also discussed the advice he commonly provides parents and patients. He noted that the size of the screen involved has a significant impact on eye strain. Additionally, the tendency of children to imitate the habits of their parents can result in further increased exposure.

“For parents who want to know if one screen is better than the other, there’s really no definite say, but typically the larger the screen, the more relaxed the eye will end up being,” Roe said. “But then I turn it around on the parents, and I say, look at yourself, how often are you on a screen? Because kids want to mimic their parents.”

Ultimately, Roe pointed out the importance of moderation when utilizing screens. He reminded both clinicians and patients that screens are not inherently negative, stating instead that good practice and good ocular health come from moderation rather than avoidance.

“The only thing I’ll say is that screens aren’t inherently bad; it’s how we use them that’s bad. The more aware we are as to how we are using it and the ways we can properly use it, the better we’re going to be,” Roe said. “As with everything else in life, you have to learn how to use any tool in an appropriate way.”

Roe M. An Update on Screen Time’s Impact on Childhood Development, and Optometry’s Role for All Patients. Presented at the 2025 American Optometric Association in Minneapolis, MN, June 25-28, 2025.

Ha A, Lee YJ, Lee M, Shim SR, Kim YK. Digital Screen Time and Myopia: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(2):e2460026. Published 2025 Feb 3. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.60026

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Overexposure to mobile phones and similar devices can impact ocular and mental health; Roe suggests methods of managing screen time.

Matthew Roe, OD

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