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| Smartphone overuse may 'damage' eyes, say opticians | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Opticians say people are so addicted to smartphones they may be increasing their risk of eye damage. | Opticians say people are so addicted to smartphones they may be increasing their risk of eye damage. |
| They are warning overuse from phones and other devices like computers, tablets, and flat screen TVs can lead to long-term damage. | |
| It comes as a survey of 2,000 people suggests under 25s check their phones thirty-two times a day. | It comes as a survey of 2,000 people suggests under 25s check their phones thirty-two times a day. |
| Optician Andy Hepworth said: "Blue violet light is potentially hazardous and toxic to the back of your eyes. | Optician Andy Hepworth said: "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. | "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." | "When you're looking at a smart phone, the light peaking out of that is blue violet." |
| He says tests have 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. | He says tests have 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. |
| Opticians say that, although "good" blue light (blue-turquoise) is needed to help regulate biological clocks, it is also thought that extensive exposure to blue violet light can disrupting sleep patterns and affect moods. | Opticians say that, although "good" blue light (blue-turquoise) is needed to help regulate biological clocks, it is also thought that extensive exposure to blue violet light can disrupting sleep patterns and affect moods. |
| "Although we don't know if there's a direct link with it creating eye problems, there is strong lab evidence it can potentially do that," Andy added. | "Although we don't know if there's a direct link with it creating eye problems, there is strong lab evidence it can potentially do that," Andy added. |
| "It's the combination of not blinking enough and bringing the device closer than you normally look at objects - it strains your eyes." | "It's the combination of not blinking enough and bringing the device closer than you normally look at objects - it strains your eyes." |
| 'More headaches' | 'More headaches' |
| The survey, commissioned by a group of independent opticians, found that on average, an adult spends nearly seven hours a day staring at a screen with nearly half feeling anxious when away from their phone. | |
| Statistics also suggest 43% of under 25s experience genuine irritation or anxiety when they can't check their phone when they want. | Statistics also suggest 43% of under 25s experience genuine irritation or anxiety when they can't check their phone when they want. |
| It also found 55% felt the amount of screen time they're exposed to affects them with eye discomfort the main problem. | It also found 55% felt the amount of screen time they're exposed to affects them with eye discomfort the main problem. |
| Eighteen-year-old Alana Chinery from Essex is never without her smart phone. | Eighteen-year-old Alana Chinery from Essex is never without her smart phone. |
| She said: "I've definitely noticed that my eyes are getting worse from staring at my computer and phone. | She said: "I've definitely noticed that my eyes are getting worse from staring at my computer and phone. |
| "I am getting more headaches." | "I am getting more headaches." |
| Amanda Saint, who is also an optician, says the advice is simple. | Amanda Saint, who is also an optician, says the advice is simple. |
| "Get your eyes tested regularly and take regular breaks from your computer and hand held device." | "Get your eyes tested regularly and take regular breaks from your computer and hand held device." |
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