Hyderabad woman lost vision was diagnosed with smartphone vision syndrome which resulted in vision loss. The routine habit with her smartphone made her almost lose her eyesight forever.
We all know the bane of technology and what an addiction to smart gadgets can do. Still, many people intend to ignore or don’t follow precautions and let their addiction take a toll on their health. A woman from Hyderabad had a similar addiction to using her smartphone at night. And her habit of night scrolling over social media made her lose her eyesight.
About the incident: Hyderabad Woman Lost Vision
A Neurologist based in Hyderabad, Dr. Sudhir, recently took to Twitter to share a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive smartphone use. He shared the story of one of his patients, Manju, who came to him with symptoms such as floaters, intense flashes of light, dark zigzag patterns, and occasional vision loss or difficulty focusing.
After a medical examination, Manju was diagnosed with smartphone vision syndrome (SVS), which can result in various eye-related problems, including blindness.
What Doctor said about Hyderabad woman who lost sight?
Dr. Sudhir attributed Manju’s vision loss to her habit of spending prolonged periods of time on her phone in the dark. This was a routine she had been following for about a year and a half.
According to the doctor, Manju developed this habit after quitting her job as a beautician to care for her special needs child and turning to her smartphone for hours of daily browsing, including more than two hours in the dark with the lights switched off.
However, after identifying the source of Manju’s symptoms, Dr. Sudhir prescribed medication and encouraged her to reduce her screen time. With the medication and decreased screen usage, Manju was able to recover her vision.
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The doctor reported in his Twitter thread, “At the one-month review, Manju was doing great. Her 18-month vision impairment had vanished and she now had normal eyesight, with no floaters or flashes of light. Additionally, her occasional night-time vision loss had also ceased. Our suspicion was confirmed.”
The case of Manju serves as a reminder of the alarming prevalence of smartphone vision syndrome (SVS), also known as computer vision syndrome (CVS) or digital vision syndrome.
This syndrome can result in partial or complete vision loss, making it a serious issue. Although medication and lifestyle changes can help alleviate symptoms, it’s important to use smartphones with responsibility.
Data.ai report on mobile usage
Mobile analytics company, data.ai (formerly App Annie), reports that the average daily smartphone usage duration in India has risen to 4.6 hours in 2021, up from 4 hours in 2020.
Despite the increasing amount of time spent looking at screens and the negative effects of blue light emitted by digital devices, the number of people using smartphones in low light or dark rooms is also on the rise. This not only takes a toll on mental health but also increases the likelihood of vision damage, which may lead to regret.
While it’s difficult to completely avoid smartphones, it is highly recommended to control screen time and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Even for tech-savvy individuals, technology can actually help reduce screen time.
For instance, using the Zen mode feature or turning on a blue light filter can help reduce strain on the eyes. Setting a timer and taking breaks from the screen every 20 to 30 minutes, as well as engaging in physical activity and utilizing smartwatches, are also helpful.
Additionally, Dr. Sudhir suggests avoiding prolonged use of screens from digital devices, as it can cause significant and potentially disabling vision problems. He recommends taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at an object 20 feet away (the 20-20-20 rule) while using a digital screen.