Screen time of more than 7 hours/day is dangerous for health, study shows – Tecnoblog

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The American Optometric Association (AOA) recently published a study on the impact of screen time on human health. In the study, the AOA points out that excessive screen time leads to other symptoms unrelated to vision, affecting mental health and even the back muscles. The research was published by the Association itself and did not undergo peer review

This new AOA study does not specifically focus on vision diseases or syndromes caused by screen time. Eye fatigue caused by exposure to light, for example, is already proven — and its effect can be mitigated. The AOA’s latest publication highlights how excessive screen time is also linked to other symptoms, which may or may not be linked to eye strain.

High screen time can cause muscle pain

According to the AOA study, which was published on its own website, computer vision syndrome (CVS), which encompasses problems beyond eye fatigue, can cause neck and back pain in those who spend a lot of time in front of a screen. . These pains are linked to the tension that these regions suffer from the time the user spends sitting. And yes, bad posture increases discomfort.

Working with more than one screen was not mentioned in the study, but using multiple monitors requires more neck and eye movement (Image: Boitumelo Phetla/Unsplash)

These CVS symptoms also worsen the person’s quality of life, mental health and impair productivity at work. In the latter case, the effects are felt not only during working hours, but also outside, when the employee needs to obtain a certificate. The study doesn’t go into whether using more than one screen increases pain, but remember that using two monitors makes our neck and eyes move more often.

Some of the CVS symptoms highlighted in the study are already known. For example, problems linked to the eyes, which can be blurred vision, headaches and others. The scenario gets worse for those who have an untreated vision problem, as the lack of correction causes these headaches even without being in front of a screen. However, wearing glasses or lenses does not make anyone immune to CVS.

Excessive screen time, especially on non-OLED displays, also affects sleep (and it’s hard not to think that a bad headache doesn’t also affect bedtime). Without good sleep, mental health suffers. However, symptoms of muscle pain are not resolved with more blue light filtering.

How to mitigate the effects of SVC

With people working or studying for hours in front of a screen, it is almost impossible to prevent the effects of CVS. However, the AOA points out some practices to mitigate the symptoms of the syndrome. Some of them are:

• Use fewer devices — switching between different screens is more harmful to your vision, that is, try not to take your cell phone to the bathroom after using a monitor. This point also suggests that using more than one monitor, from different brands, can contribute to SVC.
• Position the monitor and the light in your work or study space in a way that avoids reflections on the screen.
• Rest when you feel muscle pain or tired eyes.
• Work environment (chair and table) that suits your size.
• Annual consultations with ophthalmologists.
• 20-20-20 Rest — these numbers refer to a “technique” of looking at something 6 meters away (20 feet) for 20 seconds for every 20 minutes of screen time.

With information: 9to5Mac

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