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Is Staring at Tiny Screens Hurting Kids' Eyes?

#1
Yazata Offline
Here's a report that 23% of British 12 and 13 year-olds now suffer from myopia. That's compared to 10% in the 1960's.

The increase is being attributed to kids playing outside less and spending more time focused on computer and cell-phone screens.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/health/new...421027.ece

I'm guessing that cell-phone screens are especially bad, since they are so small that eyes have to strain to resolve small features and text. Once eyes are acclimated to doing that, it's probably harder for them to adjust to focusing on larger things farther than a few inches away.
#2
elte Offline
I think its true that too much focusing close up for long periods tends to cause myopia.  I'm pretty sure it played a large role in the nearsightedness that began for me by second grade and later became so bad.  By college, the lenses on my glasses were unbearably thick.  I read a lot and spent a lot of time on homework.
#3
Magical Realist Offline
My brother never read much of anything growing up and to this day has 20/20 vision. I on the other read lot as a child and also drew pictures. I was wearing glasses for nearsightedness by the time I was 13.
#4
stryder Offline
Well I can safely say that as technology has progressed, my computer screens tend to get bigger rather than smaller and this is purely so that I don't end up sitting so close to a screen to view it's entirety (especially when using a computer game).

In those instances for immersion it requires actually concentrating on what is on the screen to the point where the actual real world is nothing but a shadow.

The original problem back in the day was the low size/resolution CRT's which themselves actually outputted a small amount of radiation that was only considered a problem if you sat too close. (I wouldn't be surprised if my frontal lobe was bathed in X-rays during that time period)

In more recent years the LCD/TFT's have obviously replaced it so rather than trying to a cumbersome 20" CRT (originally used for CAD purposes), I've now got 27" flat screens [16:9] (I wouldn't recommend anything smaller than that) that weigh hardly anything and don't produce the level of light sensitivity or headaches associated with the CRT's.) I find I can also sit further back if I happen to be gaming (not quite as far back as when using a projector)

Perhaps the answer to the mobile industry to reduce myopia is to actually create inbuilt projectors using LED's, however it would definitely each the batteries of the device.

A point missed on the subject of schoolkids gaining myopia is the cost on the NHS for corrective lenses, it shouldn't be something that is taken from the pocket of every tax payer but perhaps placed as a tax on the devices that cause the problems in the first place.
#5
Mr Doodlebug Offline
(Apr 24, 2015 11:31 PM)Yazata Wrote: Here's a report that 23% of British 12 and 13 year-olds now suffer from myopia. That's compared to 10% in the 1960's.
I can believe it.
Your eyes need exercise.
I was one of that 10% in the 60s. Bookworm.
What's the new equivalent?
Mobileworm?


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