Using smartphones. How to prevent refractive errors?

It is difficult to imagine our lives without a smartphone these days. Instant messaging, social networks, online shopping, information, education – thanks to this small device we have everything we need right at our fingertips and in our sight. Yes, exactly, our sight. Without a doubt our eyes are the most susceptible to the negative effects of the blue light emitted from a smartphone screen. Doctors unanimously claim that modern digital devices facilitate our lives but at the same time prove harmful to our eyes. Smartphones and computers are currently the main cause of refractive errors.

In medical jargon there is a new term “smartphone blindness” coined to describe a set of various ailments caused by using smartphones and computers for many hours.

The most serious vision defect is short-sightedness. It is estimated that approximately as many as 50% of children and adolescents are burdened with this refractive error as a result of looking at a smartphone screen for too long from a very short distance.

Common problems caused by hours-long exposition to smartphone light are also eye dryness, burning sensation or feeling of sand under the eyelids, lacrimation, eye redness and itchiness. It seems impossible nowadays not to use digital devices for they have become one of (or in many cases even the major) tool we use at work or school. Therefore the question is whether we can use them in such a way that the harmful effect they have on our eyesight is reduced to the minimum. The answer is yes. Below you will find some tips for safer use of digital devices.

Safe distance, lighting, helpful applications

First and foremost, we should limit the time spent looking at the screen, which is undoubtedly the most difficult tip to follow. If there is such a possibility – and in more and more cases there is these days – listen to texts instead of reading them. What is more, smartphones should never be used in complete darkness, and the screen contrast should be adjusted so as to reduce eye fatigue.

It is also of great importance to maintain appropriate distance between the eyes and the screen, as holding the device too close is harmful to the eyes. Special applications have even been created in order to maintain optimal distance from the screen which block it when it is hold too close to the face and unblock it when the distance is safe. Other applications reduce the blue light, help to schedule breaks from using the phone and do simple exercises recommended by ophthalmologists.

Breaks from using a smartphone and ocular muscles exercise

It is essential to take breaks from looking at the smartphone. Every now and then we should look up from the screen and look into the distance, e.g. look through the window, which is a good exercise for ocular muscles preventing their weakness.

Preventing eye dryness and burning

In order to prevent eye dryness and burning lubricating eye drops – or so-called artificial tears – should be used. We should also remember to blink regularly as focusing the eyesight on digital devices makes us blink less frequently, which in turn leads to poorer eye lubrication and consequently makes the eyes more susceptible to infections.

If these ailments do not disappear or become more serious, you should make an appointment for a specialist ophthalmologic examination during which an ophthalmologist will thoroughly examine the condition of your eyes.

In today’s world it is virtually impossible to completely abandon using smartphones. Therefore, we should remember to follow the above tips to protect our eyes while using mobile devices.

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