Overuse of Smartphones Causes Damage to Eyes

Smartphones may have made our lives a lot more convenient, but our eyes have paid the price.

Presbyopia, a type of farsightedness once typically found among people in their 50s and above, is now appearing in people in their 30s and 40s.

According to a study by Donga University Hospital in Busan, the proportion of people suffering from presbyopia aged 36 to 40 almost doubled to 7 percent between 2006 and 2011.

According to the Korea Information Society Development Institute, the penetration rate of smartphones rose sharply from 24 percent in 2011 to 80 percent in 2014, with the devices reaching all age groups.

Due to the devices' small screens, overuse of smartphones puts a lot of pressure on the eyes. A study conducted by New York University showed that people typically blink their eyes 12 times a minute. The rate falls to six times per minute, however, when looking at a smartphone display. Less blinking slows the secretion of tears, causing dryness and making the eyes feel tired.

Kim Man-soo, a professor at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, said, "Use of smartphones from an early age could increase the risk of diseases like glaucoma, retinodialysis and macular degeneration."