Using your phone in bed at night may make you cross-eyed, experts say. – AI-generated image
KUALA LUMPUR: Do you often use your phone while lying in bed on your side?
Well, you may want to stop this practice as experts warn that this could make you cross-eyed!
They say using a device in such a position can strain your eyes and prolonged use contributes to the risk of strabismus (crossed eyes).
Clinical optometrist Muhammad Adam Zakaria, 31, said looking at gadgets while lying on your side creates imbalanced vision, placing a strain on only one eye.
"The eyes focus on the screen from a close distance for prolonged periods, leading to eye strain. This can result in dry eyes, blurred vision and headaches," he said.
However, he also warned that extended close-range gadget use in any position can strain eye muscles, not just when lying down.
Muhammad Adam, from the Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital, emphasised the importance of keeping devices at least 40cm away and to ensure there is adequate lighting.
"Avoid using gadgets in the dark as this causes the eyes to work harder to adjust to contrasting light levels. A bright screen against a dark background adds strain to the eye muscles," he said.
"Before the age of 23, refractive power can still fluctuate and the eyeballs are still growing. In other words, the eye's refractive power has not fully stabilised," he explained, noting that early signs of crossed eyes include light sensitivity and frequent headaches.
Clinical and eye surgery specialist Datuk Dr Mohd Johari Mohamad added that those under 18 are at a higher risk of developing strabismus than adults as their eye power and eyeball growth are still in transition.
The Bangi Eye Specialist Centre director further said that while adults are generally at lower risk of developing crossed eyes from gadget use, they may still experience symptoms of glaucoma, an optic nerve disease often linked to high eye pressure.
"High refractive power in the eyes can lead to a predisposition to glaucoma. Signs of normal tensive glaucoma (NTG) are also found in adults and children frequently exposed to prolonged device use," explained Dr Johari.
He likened the disease, which affects the optic nerve, to coastal erosion caused by strong waves.
"The thinning of the optic nerve, much like an eroding shoreline, gradually impairs nerve function and can even result in permanent blindness."
He advised the public to undergo eye check-up at least once a year to detect chronic eye conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration early.
When discussing treatments for gadget-related strabismus, Dr Johari highlighted that wearing glasses with the correct prescription or undergoing corrective surgery are options in severe cases.
"We generally recommend glasses first. If there are issues with dryness due to allergies, we treat those to help stabilise the eye tissue," he explained, noting that treatment typically lasts six to twelve months, depending on the patient's age and the condition's severity.
Dr Johari, who treats over 200 patients each month, also advises limiting continuous phone use to under an hour and recommends consuming fruits rich in vitamins A and E, as well as fresh yellow fruit juices, which support eye health. – Bernama
