Children who frequently use their smartphones are at a greater risk of being cross-eyed, according to researchers from South Korea. A similar study found that many teenagers in the U.S. are addicted to their mobile phones.
Researchers from Chonnam National University Hospital in Seoul examined 12 children between ages 7 and 16. The young participants used their devices for 4 to 8 hours a day and held their phones eight to 12 inches away from their faces.
Temporary convergent strabismus, better known as "cross-eyed" is a condition that forces the eyes to focus inwards. Strabismus forces one or both eyes to turn up, down, in or out of the normal range.
People suffering from strabismus cannot align both eyes simultaneously under normal circumstances. The condition is rarely diagnosed in South Korea but has now become prevalent, according to Daily Mail. Fortunately, nine of the 12 children were able to reverse the symptoms by discontinuing mobile phone use for two months.
Nearly 70 percent of adults in the U.S. have experienced symptoms of digital eye strain, according to a survey by Vision Council. Around 60 percent of the survey respondents claim that they spend at least six hours looking at electronic devices a day.
The symptoms are also becoming more apparent in children since kids acquire cellphones at younger ages today. Kids also use digital devices more frequently than ever before, according to Sarah Hinkley, associate professor at Ferris State University Michigan College of Optometry. Hinkley is also the spokeswoman for the American Optometric Association.
In a similar study by Baylor University in Texas, researchers found that teenagers spent up to ten hours a day on their mobile phones. The study noted that many teenagers often feel stressed when they do not have access to their phones.
The idea of becoming addicted to using smartphone was a realistic possibility, according to James Robert, lead author the study. Some functions such as Instagram and Pinterest have been associated with significant mobile addiction.
Researchers have also identified other physical pitfalls to using smartphones in recent years, according to USA Today. Symptoms may include eyestrain, blurry vision, headaches, upper body pain and irritated eyes.
While some people can stay on their digital devices without any issues, other people may show symptoms after 10 minutes of use. Researchers of the study recommend limiting smartphone use to 30-minute intervals.
