According to recent studies, scroller on his phone (either scrolling through networks, stories etc.) is harmful to your mental health, as well as for your couple relationships. But a new study has attached to the physical consequences of this current habit. And the result is not more delightful: this represents additional fatigue for your eyes. A study published in the Journal of Eye Movement Research Today shows that scrolling causes more eye fatigue than other digital uses such as reading e-books or watching videos.
Social networks, champions of visual fatigue
To compare the impact of different uses, Indian researchers followed 30 young adults, equipped with a portable eye surveillance system based on a Raspberry Pi nano-bordering and an infrared camera. For an hour, each participant used a smartphone for three separate activities: read an e-book, watch a video and scroll through social networks.
The results are clear: scrolling leads to the most marked visual fatigue. In question, the rapid changes in content and brightness characteristic of social networks. Pupillary dilation varied much more during these sessions than when reading or viewing.
© J. Eye Mov. Res.
Fewer blinks, more ocular drought
The study also highlighted two indicators directly linked to visual fatigue after an hour of scrolling.
- A decrease of 54 to 61 % of the frequency of blinks after an hour of use;
- An increase of 39 to 42 % of the interval between two blinks, in other words, the eyes remain open longer.
However, the less we blink, the more the eye surface dries up (ocular drought), which accentuates the feeling of tingling, blurred vision or tearing. So many symptoms grouped under the term of digital eye fatigue (Digital Eye Strain).
Just for your eyes, a public health issue
The discovery is far from being anecdotal. While most previous studies brought to short durations (3 to 15 minutes), it is closer to the real uses of the smartphone. And an hour of screen is still well below time that many spend every day scroller!
With almost 90 % of mobile phones users equipped with a smartphone, the issue of eye health becomes a real public health issue. Researchers believe that their portable device could be used to better detect and follow visual fatigue, but above all to alert the importance of adopting protective habits.
How to relieve his eyes?
If total disconnection seems difficult, some simple reflexes can limit the effects of scrolling:
- Take regular breaks (the rule of 20-20-20: every 20 minutes, look at 20 feet, 6 meters, for 20 seconds);
- Blink When you feel your eyes dry out;
- Adjust screen to adapt it to the environment;
- Limit time spent on social networksespecially during long smartphone sessions.
In any case, your eyes will appreciate that you grant them a break.