How Much Screen Time Is Too Much or Can Damage Your Eyes?

People in the US spend around 11 hours on digital devices while listening to music, watching videos or reading content or interacting with other activities like checking emails or content on social media platforms and chatting on messengers.     

In fact, such digital devices that include desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, smartphones, wearable devices and TV, are becoming part of our daily life.

And most of us ingest our information through various Internet-connected devices like phones, resulting we spend nearly half of every day interacting on digital screens.

Apart from kids, adults spend lots of time which is more harmful to them as their eyes are ageing and can face health issues.

Kids’ eyes are young time spent on the screen will not cause any immediate effect, but adults should also control them. Here we will discuss how much screen time is too much for adults or bad for the eyes.   

How Much Screen Time is Too Much?

Though, any scientist has not yet defined any specific time how much is too much for your eyes. But as per recent studies and research, nearly 40 per cent of 18-to-29-year-old are online all the time, while most of us spend nearly 5 hours looking at our mobile phones.

And depending upon the types of devices, screen formats or screen lighting conditions and health of your eyes gets affected while watching content on such devices.      

How Much Screen Time Can Damage Your Eyes?

When you spend too much time on the digital screen, your eyes are the most affected part of your body. If you have healthy eyes, watching content for long hours on digital devices will not affect you immediately.

But if you wear eyeglasses or have vision problems cut your screen time otherwise you will face more serious issues. However, no such studies or research has shown that too much screen time can damage your eyes. 

Other Side Effects of Too Much Screen Time

Medical experts say adults spending too much time on the screen poses health risks. Apart from ignorance while walking or driving on the roads, taking selfies or indulging in screens at unusual places creates dangerous problems for people globally.

Other health issues and negative effects of screen time for adults are eyes strain due to continuous glaring at the digital screen or neck pain owing to looking down at your phone for long hours and poor posture can also affect your spine.

Moreover, you can face health problems like compter vision issues, back pain, poor sleeping patterns, impaired cognitive function and migraine with prolonged effects that can also lower your cardiovascular health and increases your mortality risk.  

Also Read: What is Computer Vision Syndrome: Symptoms & Prevention Tips

Though, in a recent study a new health problem came to light, using smartphones excessively growing horns on humans’ heads. It became a news sensation over the Internet within a few hours but it was not scientifically proven.

How to Limit Screen Time for Adults on Digital Devices?

Spending too much time on screens or digital devices is not only the reason behind health issues but is caused by a sustained bad posture.

Sitting for long hours in the same posture or holding the device in a constant position will definitely create a problem for you. However here below we have listed a few tips to reduce the impacts.

 Tips To Reduce Screen Time:

• Adjust the brightness and contrast level or enable the reading mode on phones.
• While working on computers or laptops take regular breaks and stretch and stand up.
• Always sit with the right posture and keep changing your position in short intervals. 
• Avoid using such devices while doing daily important work like eating or sleeping.
• If possible keep such devices or screens out of your reach or away from the bedroom.
• You can also use such devices to set alarms or reminders after using a certain time period.

Apart from following the above tips to reduce screen time, if your profession obligates you to spend extraordinary time on the digital screen, make sure to use such devices or wear anti-glare lenses that have anti-reflective coating on the surface lenses to reduce reflection while working in front of a computer monitor or laptops.

Moreover, increase the intake of green vegetables, fish and high vitamins fruits and vegetables to improve your eyesight and if there is any major problem visit your nearest eye-care medical centre for a checkup.    

Also Read: How to Improve Eye Vision Naturally: 6 Tips for Eyesight

Summing-up

Adults may use digital devices more for official works compared to kids who spend time mainly for entertainment like playing games or watching cartoon videos etc.

However, in both situations, long hours of screen time affect the eyes. It is not our fault, instead, our lifestyle made us highly dependent on such devices making obsess us.  

Technology is meant for making your life more convenient but it doesn’t mean you excessively utilize such resources and get affected or suffer serious health problems in your life.

And not only adults but you also need to limit screen time for your kids who are addicted and excessively using such gadgets in their daily life.