Using gadget while lying in bed may cause strabismus - Experts

KUALA LUMPUR - Do you often use your cellphone while lying in bed, particularly on your side?

Experts caution against this habit, as using a device in this position can strain your eyes and, with prolonged close-up use, may even contribute to the risk of crossed eyes, or strabismus.

Clinical Optometrist Muhammad Adam Zakaria, 31, explains that viewing gadgets while lying on your side creates imbalanced vision, placing a strain on only one eye.

"When we use a phone lying down, our eyes focus on the screen at a close distance for prolonged periods, leading to digital eye strain. This can result in dry eyes, blurred vision, and headaches due to muscle strain,” he said.

"Extended close-range gadget use can also strain the eye muscles, not only when lying down or on your side,” he told Bernama recently.

Muhammad Adam, who serves at the Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital, emphasised the importance of keeping devices at least 40 centimetres from the eyes and ensuring adequate lighting to protect eye health.

"Avoid using gadgets in the dark, as this causes the eyes to work harder to adjust to contrasting light levels. The bright screen against a dark background adds strain to the eye muscles,” he said.

"Before the age of 23, refractive power can still fluctuate, and the eyeballs are gradually growing. In other words, the eye’s refractive power has not fully stabilised," he explained, noting that early signs of crossed-eye include light sensitivity and frequent headaches.

Clinical and Eye Surgery Specialist Datuk Dr Mohd Johari Mohamad added that individuals under 18 are at a higher risk of developing strabismus than adults, as their eye power and eyeball growth are still in transition.

The Director of the Bangi Eye Specialist Centre further noted that while adults are generally at lower risk of developing crossed eyes from gadget use, they may still experience symptoms of glaucoma, an optic nerve disease often linked to high eye pressure.

"High refractive power in the eyes can lead to a predisposition to glaucoma symptoms. Signs of Normal Tensive Glaucoma (NTG) are also found in adults and children frequently exposed to prolonged device use," explained Dr Johari.

He likened the disease, which affects the optic nerve, to coastal erosion caused by strong waves: "The thinning of the optic nerve, much like an eroding shoreline, gradually impairs nerve function and can even result in permanent blindness."

He advised the public to undergo eye check-up at least once a year to detect chronic eye conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration early.

When discussing treatments for gadget-related strabismus, Dr Johari highlighted that wearing glasses with the correct prescription or undergoing corrective surgery are options in severe cases.

"We generally recommend glasses first. If there are issues with dryness due to allergies, we treat those to help stabilise the eye tissue," he explained, noting that treatment typically lasts six to twelve months, depending on the patient's age and the condition’s severity.

Dr Johari, who treats over 200 patients each month, also advises limiting continuous phone use to under an hour and recommends consuming fruits rich in vitamins A and E, as well as fresh yellow fruit juices, which support eye health. - BERNAMA