Beware
mobile users!!!
In this era of the digital world, the biggest question
concerning our eyes is, “Will extensive use of mobile phones affect my eyes?”
and the answer is “YES!” While mobile companies have been working really hard
to market new models that have a better display, large screen, blue light filter,
antireflection screens, etc., it becomes rather confusing to decide if or not to
use mobile phones. A while ago, people were concerned about the radiations
that affect one’s health with messages traveling across the globe about how we
are not supposed to put our cell phones in our shirt pocket that would affect
our heart and not place it next to our pillow while we sleep that would cause
sleep disturbances or brain cancer. However, presently with the global increase
in the number of people wearing glasses, it has become an utmost need of the hour to
spread awareness about the proper use of mobile phones. The following points have
to be kept in mind while using mobile phones.
1.
Distance – Longer the distance, lesser the eye
strains. Ideally, it should be placed at a distance of more than 40 cms from the
face
2.
Duration – Longer the duration greater the eye
hurts and results in eye strain followed by a spasm of eye muscles. This will result in visual disturbances
during near work. Take at least a 30-seconds breaks for every half an hour by
looking at something far distance
3.
Position – Never bend too much while looking at
the phone; especially avoid looking at it while lying on your belly. By doing
so you not only strain your neck but also give way to increase in refractive
error
4.
Blinking – It is important to blink your eyes
frequently so that there is an equal distribution of tears on your eyes. Normally
we should blink at least 10-12 times in a minute but when we are engrossed in
an activity that requires more concentration, we forget to blink. This results
in the evaporation of tears resulting in dry eyes. Dry-eyes cause a burning
sensation, increased tearing, itching and irritation. Prolonged dry eyes will
damage the cornea and hence will affect vision.
5.
Font size – Always make sure you are able to read
the font without any extra effort at a distance of 40 cms. If not increase the
font size such that it is readable at that distance.
6.
Brightness – Make sure the auto-brightness
adjustment is enabled on your phone. This ensures the brightness is optimum with
respect to the surrounding light.
7.
Blue light filter – Make
sure the blue light filter is on. Those who use mobile phones for prolonged
periods and are experiencing eye strain will be able to appreciate instant
relief when they activate this filter. Apart from eye strain, increased
exposure to blue light is known to affect ganglion cells on the retina that
would allow age-related retinal degeneration to set in at a much younger age.
If the phone does not have a blue light filter feature, the same effect can be
made by using special glasses that filter blue light.
8.
Surrounding light – Many people have a habit of
looking at their mobiles during night hours with the room lights off with a good intention of not disturbing others who are sleeping in the room. However,
this practice is not ideal as this does not allow the diffusing of blue light
resulting in the harmful effects of blue light exposure.
