Many people enjoy lying in bed and looking at their phones, unaware that while it may feel good in the moment, this habit can harm their health in the long run.
Recently, a media report mentioned a man whose right eye’s vision significantly declined in a short period. After visiting the hospital, it was discovered that his left eye had normal vision, but his right eye had developed myopia. Upon further inquiry, it was revealed that the man had a habit of lying on his side in bed to look at his phone for several hours at a time.
So, what are the dangers of lying on your side and looking at your phone for extended periods? How can we prevent these issues? With these questions in mind, a Science and Technology Daily reporter interviewed relevant experts.
It May Lead to Strabismus
When lying on your side and looking at your phone, the distance between your two eyes and the phone is different, causing different adjustments in vision for each eye. Over time, this can lead to a condition known as anisometropia, where the refractive power of the eyes differs. According to data, anisometropia can be physiological or pathological.
The National Children’s Amblyopia and Strabismus Prevention Group’s unified trial diagnostic standard (1985) states that a spherical difference of ≥1.50D or a cylindrical difference of ≥1D between the eyes is considered pathological anisometropia. Symptoms can include visual fatigue, alternating vision (using one eye for distant vision and the other for near vision), and strabismus.
Whether lying on your side or on your back, as long as you look at your phone for extended periods, it can have negative impacts on your eyes.”
The closer and longer the eye is used, the more evident this causal relationship becomes, which has been scientifically confirmed. Continuous long-term close-range eye use causes the ciliary muscles in the eyes to contract continuously, leading to spasm, eye strain, and eventually elongation of the eyeball, resulting in myopia.
It May Cause Lumbar and Cervical Spine Injuries
Besides affecting vision, prolonged lying on your side and looking at your phone can also compress muscles and the spine. Guo Wei, a member of the Sports Medicine Branch of the Chinese Biophysical Society and an expert in sports rehabilitation, explained that when lying on your side and looking at your phone without proper support, the waist muscles on the side close to the bed can become tense. Over time, this can cause scoliosis or even lumbar spine issues. Uneven muscle balance can also lead to lower back pain.
The impact on the cervical spine can be more severe. Excessive neck bending, unnatural body curvature, and forward neck posture can continuously stretch the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the neck. Over time, the vertebral artery can become compressed, leading to cervical spondylosis and chronic strain.
How should these symptoms be treated? Guo Wei advised that when pain first occurs, avoid excessive massage and instead use ice packs and minimize activity. “Within the first 48 hours after the onset of pain, in addition to using stretching, relaxation, and massage, methods like ultrasound, interferential current, and medium-frequency electrotherapy can also help alleviate pain,” he said.
Guo Wei emphasized that if symptoms do not improve after 48 hours of rehabilitation treatment, to restore the body to a healthy state as soon as possible, it is recommended to engage in sports rehabilitation. By performing specific exercises, the muscles on both sides of the body can return to a balanced state.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
