The BBC has published an article investigating the effects of long-term, regular use of electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets and games consoles for work or play, on the eyesight of young people.
Ophthalmologists believe that too much screen time, combined with a lack of natural sunlight, is contributing to a rise in shortsightedness. According to Chris Hammond, professor of ophthalmology at King’s College London and consultant ophthalmic surgeon at St Thomas’ Hospital, 90% of 18-year-old’s in East Asia now suffer from myopia, the clinical term for short-sightedness, while in continental Europe, the condition is believed to affect 40-50% of people in their twenties.
The specialists interviewed by the BBC acknowledged the unrealistic nature of reducing screen time, in an age where a majority of students do the bulk of their work and research on electronic devices. Recommendations to curb the effects of myopia include spending as much time as possible outside, taking part in sports and other outdoor activities, plus a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
