Incorrect habits that cause dry eye syndrome and vision deterioration

◇ Smartphone use that threatens eye health

Excessive use of smartphones can lead to conditions such as dry eyes and decreased vision.

Dry eye syndrome is accompanied by symptoms such as dryness, itching, and a foreign body sensation in the eyes. Reduced blinking while looking at screens increases tear evaporation. This causes the surface of the eye to become dry.

If dry eye syndrome is severe, the eyes feel very stinging and as if sand has entered, creating a foreign body sensation. Some people also complain of a stabbing feeling. When the eyes are closed, it feels okay, but the symptoms worsen when opening the eyes. Especially in winter, exposure to cold wind can cause tears to flow continuously.

Vision deterioration occurs due to long-term smartphone use.

In particular, the younger the age at which smartphone use begins, the more serious the impact can be. It can negatively affect eye health during growth and may persist into adulthood.

How to protect your eye health

The following methods are recommended to protect your eye health when using a smartphone.

First, change the usage environment. Adjust the ambient lighting to minimize glare. If it is difficult to make adjustments, adjust the screen brightness to match the surrounding environment to reduce eye fatigue. It is recommended to set it slightly darker than the surroundings.

Maintain humidity in the air to prevent dry eyes. It is recommended to use a humidifier to keep indoor humidity between 40% and 60%.

Additionally, when using smart devices, the following rules should be followed.

1. Position the screen slightly below eye level and maintain a distance of 50 to 70 cm between your eyes and the screen. This helps reduce eye strain and promotes a natural posture. However, completely tilting your head downward to look at the screen is not recommended, as it can harm neck health.

2. Reduce eye fatigue by practicing the '20-20-20 rule.' Develop the habit of looking at an object 20 feet (about 6 meters) away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. In simple terms, every 20 minutes of use, look at something in the distance for 20 seconds.

3. Since you use your eyes, it is important to relieve eye fatigue. Consciously blink frequently to prevent dryness of the eyes. When using a computer or smartphone, it is recommended to blink every 10 seconds.

4. Move your eyes up, down, left, and right to relax the eye muscles. Closing your eyes and gently massaging around the eyes with your palms is also effective.

These methods can prevent eye health problems caused by smartphone use and help maintain healthy vision.