Smartphones are everywhere, from cities to villages, in the hands of
children to senior citizens. Without smartphones, going about day-to-day
activities seems difficult. Most smartphone users, out of a screen addiction,
are hooked to their phones for most of the day. Even before going to sleep,
scrolling down constantly through the phones leads to various health hazards
beyond imagination. Acting like digital drugs, screening affects the eyes, an
important part of the body.
Eyes are sensitive organs, and any form of long-term stress may lead to a
situation that will never return. Smartphones have become a daily necessity,
impacting day-to-day workplace activities and even school-going children,
mostly during online classes. The necessity was more prominent during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
What can it cause?
The blue light emitted from smartphones can lead to macular degeneration as
the cornea and the lens cannot directly block the light. Digital eye strain is
also associated with intense visual focus on digital screens. The retina is
most likely to be damaged due to extensive phone screening.
Symptoms
The common symptoms are itchy and dry eyes, blurred vision, and headaches.
If left untreated, they may lead to double vision and damage to the retina.
De-stressing the eye
Various health researchers have recommended limiting screen time to one to
two hours; however, this is quite unthinkable today. Setting up no-device areas
in some regions of the house will help people avoid smartphones. However, one
should understand the eye health hazards and take proactive steps before it is
too late.
It is also recommended to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds
after every 20 minutes of screen timing. It will help to relax the eyes. The
screen brightness should be within the threshold limit. Also, it is advisable
to blink the eye often to reduce dryness and irritation and to refocus the
eyes. A clean smartphone screen, maintaining a proper distance, almost 15-18
inches away from the eyes, can be considered if there is long-term exposure to
a smartphone screen. Adequate lighting and adjusting the text size and contrast
are some other options.
Children who are addicted to smartphones while playing video games are more
susceptible to eye stress, leading to many opting for spectacles. This may have
a direct impact on studying and keeping a focus on minute things.
Parents should ensure that children use smartphones only during the fixed time of the day. A disturbing trend for eye health is that smartphones are having a catastrophic impact. However, keeping certain things in mind will help to keep the eyes healthy rather than damaging them.
