April 25, 2023
Computer and smartphone screen usage has been related to progressive eye diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2050, more than half of the world’s population will be myopic, which means one in every two individuals will be nearsighted.
Too much screen time can alter the anatomy of the eyeball and cause atrophy of the glands that keep it moist. Excessive screen time is increasingly being blamed for the growth in eye problems such as dry eye and myopia, which are growing more widespread and affecting more young people.
People’s blink rates slow as they stare at screens. Blinking activates the meibomian glands. If the eye does not blink sufficiently, the glands may get blocked and eventually injured. This has increased WHO’s concern.
Also, when the eye is forced to focus on something too closely, the brain and eye adjust to enhance close-up vision. This causes muscular straining, which over time can change the shape or extend the eyeball. According to Taji and other experts, this can lead to significant changes in eye function, particularly in a child’s immature eye.
This has upset the World Health Organization, which has advised screen users to minimize their screen time and take breaks. It also advised people to walk outside and adjust the screen so that they did not strain to gaze up. It goes on to advise adults to use preservative-free lubricating drops and to observe the 20/20/20 rule, which states that adults should take 20 seconds every 20 minutes to completely blink 20 times.
This sources for this piece include an article in CBC.
