The Canadian Ophthalmological Society says parents should consider giving screen-free presents this holiday season.

A Winnipeg eye doctor says too much screen time and not enough sunlight is to blame for an alarming number of children being diagnosed with nearsightedness, or myopia, which she is calling an epidemic.

New research suggests that Canadian kids’ eyesight is worsening with more children getting diagnosed with nearsightedness at as early as six years old – much sooner than in previous generations.