Smartphone Use in Bed Leads to Alarming Eye Damage
A recent case of a woman in Wuhan, China, has sparked concern over the risks of prolonged smartphone use. The woman, known as Ms. Cai, was diagnosed with a staggering 400-degree difference in nearsightedness between her two eyes. According to medical professionals, her condition was exacerbated by her habit of lying down while playing with her phone. This unusual posture can cause uneven strain on the eyes, leading to increased risk of myopia and other eye problems.
9 February 2025
The strain on the eyes when using a smartphone while lying down can be attributed to the closer proximity of one eye to the screen, resulting in uneven eye strain. As people spend more time on their mobile devices, it's essential to be aware of the potential risks to our eye health. Medical professionals advise against lying down while playing with a phone, as this can lead to increased eye fatigue, dry eyes, and visual fatigue due to the blue light emitted from smartphones.
To avoid similar situations, individuals should be mindful of their smartphone usage habits, maintaining a safe distance between the screen and their eyes, taking regular breaks to rest their eyes, and avoiding playing on their phones while lying on their sides. Additionally, ensuring sufficient lighting in the surrounding environment can help reduce the risk of eye strain and other related problems. It's also recommended to adjust the screen brightness to a level that is not significantly different from the surrounding light, and to look away from the screen every 20 minutes to focus on a distant object for 20 seconds.
In addition to taking regular breaks from screen time, individuals can engage in simple exercises to protect their eye health, such as the eyelid muscle exercise, also known as the "eyeball rotation" technique. By following a moving object with their eyes, individuals can strengthen their ciliary muscles and alleviate eye strain. Practicing this exercise three times a day, for one minute each time, can be an effective way to mitigate the negative effects of prolonged screen time. Moreover, parents and caregivers should be aware of the smartphone usage habits of children and teenagers, and teach them good eye care practices from a young age to prevent long-term damage.
Experts also emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy distance between the screen and eyes, with a recommended distance of approximately 30-40 centimeters. It's also crucial to blink regularly, as prolonged screen time can lead to reduced tear secretion and dry eyes. By adopting these simple yet effective habits, people can minimize the potential harm caused by excessive smartphone use and protect their eye health. Furthermore, being mindful of smartphone usage before sleep is also essential, as it can disrupt sleep patterns and cause eye strain. If using a phone before sleep is necessary, it's recommended to adjust the screen brightness, maintain a safe distance, and limit usage time to 30 minutes or less.
