Experts are now saying that smartphone use in the United States is so excessive that it can now be diagnosed as an addiction. Therefore, what are the negative effects of smartphone addiction? Additionally, what are the effects of smartphone use on our eyes and what can we do to reduce the eye problems associated with the ultra light smartphone addiction syndrome?

Opticians are raising concerns that the excessive use of smartphones is increasing the risks for eye problems and eye conditions. A survey conducted on the excessive use of smartphones of people in their mid-twenties revealed that consumers in that age group check their smartphones 32 times a day. Eye care practitioners warn about the dangers of continual exposure over prolonged periods of time as consumers are exposed to harmful blue violet light. Overexposure to this kind of light can lead to potential damage to the light sensitive regions of the eyes located at the back of the eye in the retina.

Scientific research studies have revealed that overexposure to harmful blue violet light also has the potential to increase the risks for macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Additional side effects include eye strain associated with headaches due to excessive close up exposure to these devices. According to an optician, Andy Hepworth, the main cause of the problem is the fact that consumers are holding their devices up too close to their eyes for prolonged periods of time and this is causing them to blink less. According to eye care practitioners this is leading to eye problems related to blurry eyesight, dry eye and eye strain associate with headaches.