Joowon Kim1, Yunji Hwang2,3,4, Seungheon Kang1, Minhye Kim1, Tae-Shin Kim1, Jay Kim1, Jeongmin Seo1, Hyojeong Ahn1, Sungjoon Yoon1, Jun Pil Yun1, Yae Lim Lee1, Hyunsoo Ham1, Hyeong Gon Yu5, Sue K Park2,3,4. 1. a Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea. 2. b Department of Preventive Medicine , Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea. 3. c Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University , Seoul , Korea. 4. d Department of Biomedical Science , Seoul National University Graduate School , Seoul , Korea. 5. e Department of Ophthalmology , Seoul National University , Seoul , Korea.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Smartphone use has dramatically increased in recent years. Smartphones may have adverse health effects, particularly on the eyes, because users stare at the screen for a much longer time than they do with ordinary mobile phones. The objective of this study was to elucidate the relationship between smartphone use and ocular symptoms among adolescents. METHODS: Information on smartphone use and ocular symptoms (blurring, redness, visual disturbance, secretion, inflammation, lacrimation and dryness) related to eye fatigue and strain from 715 adolescent subjects from three cities in Korea was obtained using a structured questionnaire. Ocular health was scored using number of ocular symptoms. Odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) and p-values for ocular symptoms were calculated with binomial and multinomial logistic regression models. RESULTS: Higher prevalence rates for ocular symptoms were observed in groups with greater exposure to smartphones (p < 0.05). Longer daily smartphone use was associated with a higher likelihood of having multiple ocular symptoms (5-7 symptoms out of 7 symptoms; p = 0.005). Excessive/intermittent use (>2 hours daily and ≤2 hours continuously) and excessive/persistent use (>2 hours daily and >2 hours continuously) compared to shorter use (<2 hours daily) were associated with multiple ocular symptoms (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.09-4.39; OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.11-4.57, respectively). A higher lifetime exposure to smartphones was associated with a higher likelihood of having multiple ocular symptoms (OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.51-6.19; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Increasing exposure to smartphones can have a negative impact on ocular health in adolescents.
PURPOSE: Smartphone use has dramatically increased in recent years. Smartphones may have adverse health effects, particularly on the eyes, because users stare at the screen for a much longer time than they do with ordinary mobile phones. The objective of this study was to elucidate the relationship between smartphone use and ocular symptoms among adolescents. METHODS: Information on smartphone use and ocular symptoms (blurring, redness, visual disturbance, secretion, inflammation, lacrimation and dryness) related to eye fatigue and strain from 715 adolescent subjects from three cities in Korea was obtained using a structured questionnaire. Ocular health was scored using number of ocular symptoms. Odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) and p-values for ocular symptoms were calculated with binomial and multinomial logistic regression models. RESULTS: Higher prevalence rates for ocular symptoms were observed in groups with greater exposure to smartphones (p < 0.05). Longer daily smartphone use was associated with a higher likelihood of having multiple ocular symptoms (5-7 symptoms out of 7 symptoms; p = 0.005). Excessive/intermittent use (>2 hours daily and ≤2 hours continuously) and excessive/persistent use (>2 hours daily and >2 hours continuously) compared to shorter use (<2 hours daily) were associated with multiple ocular symptoms (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.09-4.39; OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.11-4.57, respectively). A higher lifetime exposure to smartphones was associated with a higher likelihood of having multiple ocular symptoms (OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.51-6.19; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Increasing exposure to smartphones can have a negative impact on ocular health in adolescents.
Authors: Lotfi F Issa; Khaled A Alqurashi; Talal Althomali; Talal A Alzahrani; Abdullah S Aljuaid; Tariq M Alharthi Journal: Int J Prev Med Date: 2021-10-26
Authors: Ioanna Mylona; Emmanouil S Deres; Georgianna-Despoina S Dere; Ioannis Tsinopoulos; Mikes Glynatsis Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2020-03-05