Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part A (2025)

Introduction and Aim: Myopia is one of the most common refractive defects in children; the course of the disorder is modifiable; the environment and behavior are the main factors contributing to the development of the disorder. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between myopia development and extended smartphone usage and blue light exposure in children and teenagers.
Materials and Methods: This research was conducted at Ibn Al-Haytham Hospital for Ophthalmology in Baghdad, Iraq from January 2024 to January 2025. We selected 300 participants from 6-18 years and further stratified them into three age groups: Group 1: 6-9 years, Group 2: 10-14 years and Group 3: 15-18 years. Refractive error, axial length, visual acuity, blue light exposure and time spent outdoors were also assessed at the beginning. ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis. 
Results: The differences in myopia progression between the experimental and control groups were found to be statistically significant. The experimental group had faster increase in refractive error, axial length, the smartphone uses and blue light exposure was found to be directly related with myopia progression. Nighttime smartphone use was found to be more strongly associated with myopia progression in data. 
Conclusion: The primary causes of myopia progression in children and adolescents are Smartphone use and blue light exposure and the effects are most pronounced during nighttime use. The results of the study also confirm the need to control screen time, get enough sleep, and switch to outdoor activities as a way to prevent myopia progression.