Are portables killing our eyes?

As if we weren't already worried enough about our cellphone causing Blackberry thumb, certain indecisiveness, and, of course, brain cancer, the WSJ is now reporting that according to some leading opticians, portables, especially with small screens and smaller fonts, could be causing irreversible eye strain and damage to our vision. Apparently the action of focusing for long periods of time on small spacial areas held relatively closely to the body -- especially displays with poor contrast ratios, and bad glare -- tends to overwork the eye's ciliary muscles, and might be causing deteriorated vision in the same young group of patients now visiting doctors for other technologically related ailments, like portable audio related hearing loss -- a group far too young to be coming in for their annual eyes, ears, and artificial hip-bone checkup.

[Via TechDirt]

[Jason A. @ May 2nd 2006 12:36PM]

...begins to look up lawyer�s number....must sue apple...iPod hurts the eye!

[EatingPie @ May 2nd 2006 12:38PM]

I bought my first active matrix portable specifically to help my eyes. The good contrast and clarity of the screen made a huge difference over CRTs at the time.

When in school, we had these CRTs that were Green on Black, then Amber on Black. I preferred the amber, and have universally set up all my Terminal windows to default to Amber/Black even today.

However, I did a lot of internet research and found nothing conclusive on what foreground/background color model was found to be best for your eyes. While I certainly still find Amber on Black far lest burning than Black on White, there's no science one way or the other.

Could it be that, indeed, this cited study is merely anecdotal (ie logical that small screens cause eye strain) rather than truly scientific?

-PIe

[Neko Tsukimi @ May 2nd 2006 1:04PM]

Sorry, I couldn't read this post. I just finished playing on my DS, text messaging a few friends, and setting up a few on-the-go playlists on my iPod.

Seriously though, I do fear this happening 'cos I get so into playing with my DS or using my cellphone that when I come up for air, everything's blurry for a few minutes. I'm prepared for the day I'll need glasses I guess.

[Jay @ May 2nd 2006 1:11PM]

"Artificial hip-bone checkup" priceless!

[Rob Stevens @ May 2nd 2006 1:21PM]

How is this different from, say ... a book? Standard rules apply, take frequent eye-breaks, switch to focusing further away every few minutes. No eye strain here.

Move along, nothing more to see here.

[Dave @ May 2nd 2006 1:33PM]

I too find looking at my media player or pda for long periods of time cause my distance vision to be blurry for 1/2 hour sor more after I quit using it....

It is a concern we shoudl think about I don't get this from My PSP but then it's a great screen both larger and active...

Dave

[Dave Brophy @ May 2nd 2006 1:33PM]

Oh bugger - I just today took delivery of a nice new 1920*1200 15.4" dell laptop.

[Jason @ May 2nd 2006 2:04PM]

lol @ EatingPie... I have all my terminal windows set to amber on black as well, to harken back to the good ol' days of amber CRTs.

[bob @ May 2nd 2006 2:16PM]

I read this just before I was going to go out for a run.

Now I'm concerned that I might overwork my leg muscles.

bummer..

I have this discussion with my wife from time to time and am confused as to why making your eye muscles work is a bad thing. We're approaching old but I don't need the glasses yet (she does) so I must be doing something right. I do admit that the 10inch laptop (sony T150) can be a challenge to some folks.

[buttbutt @ May 2nd 2006 2:48PM]

The same thing has been said about TV watching. Books are different because you generally have to move your eyes back and forth which with TV, gameboy, blackberry and even most monitors you don't. If I remember from the past correctly, it was atrophy that was causing problems (and dry eyes) because you aren't as inclined to blink, which is another lack of movement. Anyway, you guys took all the easy jokes.

[RcktMan77 @ May 2nd 2006 3:00PM]

An optician is a crafter of lenses for eyeglasses (i.e. they are the ones that fill your lens prescription after visiting either with an optometrist, or an ophthalmologist--the M.D. of the three--much in the same way a pharmacist fills your medicine prescriptions). So what credentials does an optician have in diagnosing this exactly? When the american academy of ophthalmologist come forth with substantial evidence that this is the case, then I'll rethink my use of portable electronics--maybe.

[Aaron @ May 2nd 2006 5:56PM]

Basically what it sounds like is... if you had bad eyes, they're gonna get worse. If you don't, then, well, you're ok. I don't think this is exclusive to small screens or anything.

[Daniel @ May 2nd 2006 6:23PM]

Hy eyes are being destroyed slowly, I've known that for a long time. 4-6 hours a day with my computer and then the Xbox 360 too when I get home. ouch.

[Tim @ May 2nd 2006 7:06PM]

Mommy always said never to sit too close to the television...no wonder my optometrist is getting a phatty paycheck!

[cloud @ May 2nd 2006 8:59PM]

I thought this was an obvious thing? I mean looking at this monitor right here can cause irreversable damage to my eyes and even playing gameboy games can too. I limit my playtime to play the DS because it strains my eyes too much for some reason.

Do I really care if it does mess my eyes up? Not really. By the time it really does take a serious toll on my eyes, I will be 40 years old and the treatment for any eye problem will be there. Heck its almost here right now.

And in the meantime, there is always glasses and contacts. Every amount of fun needs some sort of sacrifice, even watching paint dry costs money.

[Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ May 3rd 2006 5:32AM]

> Apparently the action of focusing for
> long periods of time on small spacial areas

That's the reason I do not have PDA nor smartphone yet. I tried them several times - but it's just tiring my eyes way too fast. And for sparse use the devices are overly expensive to me.

P.S. Unlike many people with incredibly large monitors setting OS to use tiny font size - I do reverse and set all applications to use large fonts. Compared to former group of people, after 15 yers in IT and software business I still do not need glasses.

[Red @ May 3rd 2006 3:43PM]

"TOO BAD YOU'RE GONNA DIE"

[Perrey Z. @ May 5th 2006 10:27AM]

Q:"Are portables killing our eyes?"
A: Not unless they have ReNU in them.