Up until a few years back, it was a common sight to see moms
yelling ‘don’t sit close to the TV. It will ruin your eyesight’. Yes, it is
quite true that sitting close to a screen affects your eyesight adversely.
However, the technology has progressed at such a rapid pace that the television
example no longer holds relevance. Most of the time people spend today is in
front of their laptops, and worse using their Smartphone’s. The Smartphone’s
have literally changed the way people use the internet. Now they can use it
lying down, standing up, on the go and nonstop.
Smartphone’s Lead to Increased Eye Strain:
Among the other ills and vices that have accompanied the rise of Smartphone’s
is increased eye strain. Since most of their time is spent staring at the
screen which is hardly bigger than a couple of inches, eye problems were bound
to arise. Yet, this didn’t deter people from buying Smartphone’s like hot
cakes. With millions of units sold every year, the problem is only going to
intensify with the passage of time. While it is true that eye treatments and
products have improved, including 1 day acuvue moist, this does not mean that
you have to ruin your eyesight.
There are a number of activities a person could use his/her Smartphone
for. The name can be quite misleading. Calling and texting is bottom of the
priority list when a person is using Smartphone, even though basically it is a
phone. The foremost use is for surfing the web. With round the clock
connectivity available to the people, they keep using the internet on their
phones anywhere and everywhere. On the way to work, at work, coming back from
work, the sequence doesn’t stop.
Why It Is Such a Big Problem:
One might argue that computers and laptops are equally likely to
cause eye strain. There are some supporters of Smartphone’s that claim that
computers are actually worse than Smartphone’s for the eyes. It is a fact that
sitting and staring at a screen for extended periods of time will cause your
eyesight to deteriorate. However, the problem is bigger since the advent of Smartphone’s.
Yet, when people used computers, they had to get up sooner or
later. There is a limit to the amount of time they can spend sitting at a
stretch. While sitting and using the computer is not a backbreaking activity,
some stretching is required. So, a person did get up and walk around for a few
minutes every couple of hours or so.
The intention was to stretch his/her legs but unwittingly, that
person got a much needed break from the screen. When he/she got up, they no
longer were staring at the screen. In short, their eyes got a break which
reduced the risk of strain.
With Smartphone’s, the problem is that the use just doesn’t stop.
People keep on using their handheld gadgets regardless of time and location.
Some experts have noted that people have experienced sleep disruptions because
of Smartphone’s. They don’t sleep as much as they need to because most of the
time in bed is spent surfing the web on their phone.
The Major Problems:
There are two major problems that increase the risk of eye strain
when using Smartphone’s to surf the web.
1. Firstly, the screen size of the Smartphone’s
is much smaller than the average computer or laptop. As a result, the font
sizes used are also small. In comparison with the average newspaper, the font
size could be up to 70% smaller. This means that you have to strain your eyes
to focus on the text and read it.
2. Secondly, there is a recommended distance
from your eyes when using your Smartphone. If this is news to you, you are not
the only one. Many people don’t know about it and those who do hardly follow it
ever. The distance recommended by experts and manufacturers is 16 inches.
Holding your Smartphone at least 16 inches away reduces the risk of eye strain.
More people have been experiencing eye strain since Smartphone’s
became commonly used. Protect your eyes from strain and stress by avoiding the
problems mentioned above. And for once, take a break from your Smartphone.
From Skopje, Macedonia, Also works as Software Quality Assurance.
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