Prolonged mobile use is silently harming eye health, leading to issues like myopia, digital strain, and dry eyes. Experts urge screen breaks and protective habits like the 20-20-20 rule to prevent damage.
NEW DELHI, JULY 5: Mobile phones have become such a constant part of modern life that imagining a day without them seems nearly impossible. Whether it’s work, entertainment, social media, or shopping, everything is now just a screen away. But behind the glow of this digital convenience lies a hidden danger — serious damage to our eyes.
Ophthalmologists warn that the prolonged and unchecked use of mobile screens is silently increasing vision-related health problems, especially among young adults and children.
According to the World Health Organization, the number of people affected by myopia — a condition where distant vision becomes blurry — has seen a dramatic rise globally. A study published in The Lancet warns that by 2025, nearly half the world’s population may suffer from myopia.
The worrying part? Most people ignore early symptoms, and by the time they seek help, significant damage may already be done.
5 Common Eye Disorders Caused by Mobile Overuse
As explained by Dr. A.K. Grover, ophthalmologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi, these are the five most common screen-related eye issues:
1. Digital Eye Strain
Long hours of uninterrupted screen use can lead to symptoms like burning, heaviness, fatigue, blurred vision, and even headaches. This condition is now common among office workers and students.
2. Dry Eye Syndrome
When we stare at screens, we blink less often, causing a drop in eye moisture. This leads to dry, itchy, and red eyes. Left untreated, it may result in chronic discomfort.
3. Blue Light Damage
The blue light from mobile screens penetrates deep into the retina and slowly damages light-sensitive cells, which can eventually lead to age-related macular degeneration — a serious eye disease affecting central vision.
4. Myopia (Near-Sightedness)
This is rapidly rising in children and teens, thanks to constant close-up screen viewing. It leads to blurry distance vision, often requiring early use of corrective glasses.
5. Photophobia (Light Sensitivity)
Spending long hours on bright screens can increase sensitivity to sunlight or any bright light, making the eyes feel uncomfortable or even painful when exposed to normal light conditions.
Dr. Grover recommends a few simple but effective habits:
- Follow the 20-20-20 Rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away.
- Keep screen brightness balanced with room lighting.
- Use blue light filters or screen protectors.
- Blink consciously and often.
- Avoid screens at least an hour before bedtime.
In today’s digital world, screens are unavoidable — but blindness shouldn’t be the price we pay. Staying aware and adopting small changes can go a long way in protecting your eyes for a lifetime.
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