By Asmau Ahmad
An Optometrist, Dr. Henry Emelike has urged Nigerians to desist from excessive use of smart phones devices because of their negative effect on the sight.
Dr. Henry who is an Optometrist at the Gwamna Awan General Hospital, Kakuri gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna.
He said that the number of cases of short sightedness among young people had soared due to high use of smart phones and tablets.
“Since the launch of smart phones in 1997 there has been a 35 per cent increase in the number of people with advancing myopia (short sightedness) according to a research carried out by founder of Focus Clinics, USA, David Allamby.
He said it is estimated that the problem would increase by 50 per cent in the next 10 years.
According to him, large number of the world’s population, especially young people own smart phones or tablets and they spend an average of two hours daily using them.
He said: “This, along with time spent using computers and watching television is putting children and young people at the risk of permanently damaging their sights.
“The average smart phone or tablet user holds the device 30 cm from their face with some holding them just 18 cm away, compared to newspapers and books which are held 40 cm away from the eyes,” he said.
He said that excessive screen watching at close proximity keeps the genes that control myopia activated well beyond the age that myopia (short sightedness) would historically have stabilised which was about 21 years.
Henry said Myopia used to stop developing in people in their early 20s but now it is now seen progressing throughout the 20s, 30s, and even 40s.
“It is predicted that if things continue as they are, about 40 to 50 per cent of 30-year-olds could have myopia by 2033 as a result of smart phones and lifestyles in front of screen which would become an epidemic called screen sightedness.
“Meanwhile, children are actually able to focus at close distances for extended periods of time than adults, and experience less eyestrain than adults. This is due to the higher elasticity and resilience cum proper functioning of ocular muscles in children and younger people.
“Still, the American Academy of Paediatrics recommends limiting a child’s screen time (including TV, computer, game console, tablet and smart phone) to no more than two hours a day. I am not sure how realistic that is, because most classrooms use computers and tablets now-a-days,” he said.
The Optometrist listed the following symptoms to be associated with short sightedness: Sore, tired, burning, itching, dry or watery eyes.
Others are blurred vision, difficulty in focusing, headaches, sore neck and shoulders. He, however, noted that there were few healthy tips that could help one override screen sightedness.
“The 20-20-20 Rule: For every 20 minute work at the screen or any close-up work, take a break for 20 seconds and focus on an object 20 feet away. Alternatively, give your eyes a two to three minutes rest after every half hour of close-up work,” he said
