A study investigating the effects of gaming on a smartphone concluded that such activity induces dry eye symptoms, reducing blinking in school-aged children.
Results found that symptoms worsened after one hour of gaming on a smartphone but tear film remained unaffected.
Research showed that blink rates reduced from 20.8 blinks per minute to 8.9 and interblink intervals also increased within the first minute and remained unchanged throughout the hour of testing.
The study concluded that smartphone use in children results in dry eye symptoms and sustained slowing of blinking. Researchers recommended that further research into long term effects should take place, given the ubiquitous use of smartphones by children.
Find full study here.
