Not just a way to communicate, smartphones have become very helpful to our daily lives, but they can also be dangerous for your eyes. Staring at the screen for too long, especially in the dark, can cause many eye issues.
Recently, a 26-year-old man in China suffered a detached retina after texting in the dark for hours with his girlfriend. The man experienced multiple sudden flashes of light after a long night of texting. Doctors diagnosed him with a detached retina and he immediately underwent emergency surgery.
The retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the inside of the eye and sends visual messages through the optic nerve to the brain. When the retina detaches, it is lifted or pulled from its normal position.
This Chinese man’s experience is a very rare occurrence as retinal detachments typically occur with those who already suffer from advanced myopia (nearsightedness), though it is still an important lesson for each of us. Staring at a smartphone’s screen for an extended period of time can also cause conjunctivitis, dry eyes, and corneal irritation. It’s important to take a break and put the phone down. Also, avoid using your smartphone in the dark for long periods of time.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com.au/overtexting-in-dark-caused-detached-retina-2014-6