Kids’ Posture, Screens and Short‑Sightedness: Yes it matters

Richard Kadri-Langford
Oct 9
2 min read

Parents often ask why their child’s myopia (short-sightedness) seems to creep up during the school years. A growing body of research points to a mix of genes, long hours of close work, limited outdoor time—and the way children sit, read and write. A recent study in Frontiers in Pediatrics (2025), “Analysis of the association between reading and writing postures and comorbidity of myopia and scoliosis in junior middle school students,” adds timely evidence that everyday study habits and posture may matter not just for vision, but also for spinal health.

What the new study looked at

Who:

Junior middle school students (roughly ages 12–15).

What:

The researchers assessed students’ reading and writing postures and habits (for example: distance from eyes to the page or screen, body and head position, desk and chair fit, and continuous duration of near work).

Health outcomes:

They evaluated myopia status and screened for scoliosis (a sideways curvature of the spine).

Aim:

To explore whether certain reading/writing postures are linked with having both myopia and scoliosis at the same time (comorbidity).

What the study found

The key takeaway for families is straightforward: the authors reported that suboptimal reading and writing postures were associated with a higher likelihood of myopia occurring alongside scoliosis compared with students who maintained better ergonomic habits. In other words, how children position their eyes, head, and body during study seems to be linked to both vision and spinal outcomes.

Why posture could matter for myopia

Working too close: Holding books or screens very near the eyes increases sustained focusing effort. Over time, prolonged close work at short distances is associated with myopia progression in children.
Long, uninterrupted near work: Fewer breaks can mean less time for the visual system to “reset,” and often coincides with slouching or leaning in closer as kids tire.
Poor lighting and desk fit: Dim light or furniture that doesn’t match a child’s size encourages hunching and shorter working distances.

Where scoliosis fits in

Scoliosis is not caused by myopia, or vice versa. But the same study habits that encourage slouching or asymmetrical posture—like leaning to one side, resting the head on an arm, or reading on a bed—can influence spinal alignment and muscle balance. The study’s focus on comorbidity highlights a practical point: healthier desk habits may support both eyes and spine.

Myopia management: act early, monitor regularly

Good posture and healthy study routines are important, but they’re only one part of protecting your child’s vision. If your child is already myopic—or at risk—speak with an eye care professional about evidence-based myopia management. These approaches aim to slow progression and may reduce the lifetime risk of serious eye conditions linked with high myopia, such as retinal detachment and glaucoma.

Options your clinician might discuss include:

The Frontiers in Pediatrics study reinforces a message that’s easy to act on: the way children read and write each day is linked with their eye and spine health. Building better desk habits, optimizing lighting and furniture, and balancing screen time with outdoor play can support both. Pair these steps with early, proactive myopia management for the best long-term outcomes.

For more trustworthy, parent-focused guidance on myopia, visit our complete guide to myopia control.