Epidemiological study (observational study)

Association between Exposure to Smartphones and Ocular Health in Adolescents epidem.

By: Hwang Y, Kang S, Kim M, Kim TS, Seo J, Ahn H, Yoon S, Yun JP, Lee YL, Ham H, Yu HG, Park SK

Published in: Ophthalmic Epidemiol 2016; 23 (4): 269-276

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Korea to investigate the association between smartphone use and ocular symptoms in adolescents.

eye symptoms: vision blurring, redness, visual disturbance, secretion, inflammation, lacrimation and dryness

Type of risk estimation:

(odds ratio (OR))

questionnaire: ownership of a smartphone, duration of ownership, average number of hours of use per day, number of hours of continuously use without stopping per day
calculation: cumulative lifetime use (lifetime hours) was calculated by multiplying the daily use duration with years of use

Group	Description
Reference group 1	daily smartphone use: < 2 hours/day (short)
Group 2	daily smartphone use: > 2 hours/day (intermediate)
Group 3	daily smartphone use: > 2 hours/day and continuous use ≤.2 hours/occasion (excessive/intermittent)
Group 4	daily smartphone use: > 2 hours/day and continuous use > 2 hours/occasion (excessive/persistent)
Reference group 5	lifetime smartphone use: ≤ 3 lifetime hours (low)
Group 6	lifetime smartphone use: 4 - 8 lifetime hours (intermediate)
Group 7	lifetime smartphone use: 9 - 12 lifetime hours (high)
Group 8	lifetime smartphone use: > 12 lifetime hours (extreme)

Type	Value
Total	734
Evaluable	715

Statistical analysis method:

(adjustment:

)

Higher prevalence rates for ocular symptoms were observed in adolescents with greater exposure to smartphones. Longer daily smartphone use was associated with a higher likelihood of having multiple ocular symptoms (5-7 symptoms out of 7 symptoms). Excessive/intermittent use (group 3) and excessive/persistent use (group 4) compared to shorter use (group 1) were associated with multiple ocular symptoms (OR 2.18, CI 1.09-4.39; OR 2.26, CI 1.11-4.57, respectively). A higher lifetime exposure to smartphones (group 8) was associated with a higher likelihood of having multiple ocular symptoms (OR 3.05, CI 1.51-6.19).
The authors conclude that longer exposure to smartphones can have a negative impact on ocular health in adolescents.

Kücer N (2008): Some ocular symptoms experienced by users of mobile phones
Balik HH et al. (2005): Some ocular symptoms and sensations experienced by long term users of mobile phones
Meo SA et al. (2005): Mobile phone related-hazards and subjective hearing and vision symptoms in the Saudi population

This website uses cookies to provide you the best browsing experience. By continuing to use this website you accept our use of cookies.