Studies Reveal Excessive Cell Phone Use Could Lead to Macular Degeneration

We are basically still in the digital Wild West with snippets of compromising health information coming to light every day as a result. From depression caused by continued social media use or developed insomnia due to staring at a blue screen before bed, integrating rapid technology into society eventually has its drawbacks. Another possible danger is how studies reveal cell phone use could lead to macular degeneration and other vision challenges.

A recent study cites how Taiwanese people, some of the most cell phone addicted in the world, are suffering from vision loss. It seems that over a short period of time, humans are the guinea pigs for more beneficial results after the fact when it comes to things like tobacco use, aerosol sprays, seatbelts and now digital technology.

An Addicted Culture, Is America Next

With the average Taiwanese citizen spending approximately 205 minutes (almost 4 hours) or more per day on the cell phone it is no wonder that news channel Focus Taiwan recently reported that,

“Taiwanese people are so addicted to smartphones doctors are warning that 10 years from now, one in three of them will suffer from macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of vision loss.”

This prediction is highly disconcerting given the fact that macular degeneration is often described as AMD or age-related macular degeneration as it usually afflicts those over the age of 65. With this technology overuse, ophthalmologist reports in Taiwan are seeing people as low as in their 20’s developing the disease.

In addition to these reports it is also found that of those who participated in a cell phone related macular degeneration study,

“53.2 percent of the people feel their eyes are not in a great shape, only 23.2 percent of them visit a doctor to examine their eyesight regularly.”

This is yet another reminder that getting regular eye checkups  and taking macular degeneration eye vitamins is essential to maintaining healthy eyesight.

Digital Use Has Long Been Affecting Vision

Results from continued digital use is not breaking news. Researchers have been tracking how computer and cell phone dependency has been affecting the general population for over a decade. However, just like any data, the accumulative effects are continually evolving.

BBC’s newsbeat, a UK affiliate, reported in 2014 how the inconspicuous ultra-violet flickering of a digital screen could lead to macular degeneration.

The report states that, according to a survey lead by UK optician, Andy Hepworth, it was found that over exposure to blue-violet light has the potential to put us at greater risk of macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness.

Hepworth comments,

“Blue violet light is potentially hazardous and toxic to the back of your eyes. So over a long period of time it can potentially damage your eyes. When you’re looking at a smart phone, the light peaking out of that is blue violet. It’s the combination of not blinking enough and bringing the device closer than you normally look at objects – it strains your eyes”

Reduce Your Use

Over time you may have become so tethered to your device that you don’t even realize how it is affecting your health. In addition to the potential for developing macular degeneration, overusing your cell phone, tablet or laptop could also lead to headaches, hand and neck pain, text claw, depersonalization, and the aforementioned depression and insomnia.

Therefore it is essential to follow some simple steps that may be able to alleviate eye damage and macular degeneration.

• Skip morning check in – Give your eyes and brain a chance to wake up before plugging in.
• Don’t stray – When working on your device, stick to the task and finish without straying to other unrelated sites that zap your time and precious eyesight.
• Leave your phone at home for a few hours
• Exercise – Put down your phone and exercise your eyes: look up, down and sideways a few times.
• Divert – Leave your phone in another room and read a book or write in a journal for a while.
• Spa It – Leave your phone in another room, wet a washcloth, place it in your microwave for one minute, let cool and place over your eyes while lying down and breathing deep.

Don’t let your digital appetite affect your health. Pay attention to overuse and make adjustments to protect yourself from unnecessary health ramifications.