Smartphone Can Damage Eyes

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New research suggests a smartphone can make quick eye damage. The study showed people who read a text message or internet browsing on smartphones tend to hold this powerful tool much closer than when reading books or newspapers, forcing the eye to work harder than usual.

According to research published in Optometry and Vision Science July issue of this, visibility is close coupled with a small font size on your smartphone, it could increase the burden on people who already wear glasses or lenses box.

"The fact a person who holds your smartphone at close range means that the eye has to work much harder to focus.'s Eyes must work harder to create symptoms such as headaches and eye strain," explained Dr. Mark Rosenfield, a professor at SUNY State College of Optometry in New York City, as reported by HealthDay, Monday (07/25/2011).

Dr. Rosenfield also said the SMS and web browsing on a smartphone can make dry eyes, discomfort and blurred vision after prolonged use. Previous studies also found that up to 90 percent of people who use computers have eye problems.

Dr. Rosenfield get an idea of ​​this research because often see people on the train that uses the smartphone is very close to their eyes. Given the growing number of adults and children who use smartphones to write and receive messages or search for restaurant reviews, it makes sense to measure exactly how close the people holding their phones.

This study is relatively simple. In the early stages, about 130 volunteers with an average age of 23.2 years were asked to hold the smartphone while reading text messages. In different experiments, 100 participants with an average age of 24.9 years, who were then asked to hold their smartphones when reading a web page. Researchers then measured the distance between the device and the eye as well as the size of letters used.

"When I read the text printed in newspapers, books and magazines, working distance of an average of nearly 16 inches (40 cm) from the eye, but the study volunteers who send text messages with a smartphone on average only about 14 inches (35.5 cm). In some people even as close as 7 inches (18 cm), "explained Dr. Rosenfield.

Meanwhile, when viewing a web page, the average working distance was 12.6 inches (32 cm).

"Font (letter) on the text messages tend to be slightly larger, averaging about 10 percent of the newspaper to print letters, but letters web page just 80 percent the size of newspaper print and in some cases even as small as 30 percent," said Rosenfield.

"But there are simple ways to addict smartphones to minimize eye strain, ie by increasing or enlarging the font size on your device," advises Dr.. Scott MacRae, associate professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences who is also an eye surgeon at the University of Rochester Medical Center.