I don’t think we know it’s ruining our eyes, and screen usage probably doesn’t affect circadian rhythms unless it’s near bed time. But we do know sitting around all day increases your mortality quite a bit.
Over time, staring too long at screens can change the structure of the eyeball and lead to atrophy of the glands that keep it moist. Research is now pointing to excessive screen time for the rise in eye disorders, such as dry eye and myopia, which are becoming more common and affect more young people.
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While myopia or nearsightedness has a genetic component, it has been shown to progress faster in people who overuse screens. Human eyes can also become chronically dry if the meibomian glands — a sebaceous gland that helps create protective tear film — become obstructed or atrophy. Meibomian glands secrete meibum, which is a specialized substance containing lipids that protects the eye surface.
It’s different than the watery tears that flush the eye. Without a healthy tear film, eyes become dry, sensitive to light and irritated. Research has linked staring at digital devices for long periods without proper blinking to degraded gland function, even in some children.
I don’t think we know it’s ruining our eyes, and screen usage probably doesn’t affect circadian rhythms unless it’s near bed time. But we do know sitting around all day increases your mortality quite a bit.
Also, blue light filter glasses are a total scam.
Screen time is definitely having a measureable impact on our ocular health
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I stand corrected on screens not being bad for eye health, although I would still argue “ruining our eyes” is a bit of an exaggeration.