Transient Macular Damage during Smartphone Usage

Abstract

A woman in her twenties experienced a central scotoma in her left eye while she was gazing at the visual display of a Smartphone. Her Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) the following day was 20/15 OD and 20/60 OS. A ringshaped yellowish reflex surrounding the central fovea was observed in the left eye on a fundus photograph, and the inner segment Ellipsoid and Interdigitation Zones (EZ and IZ, respectively) were defective at the foveola on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Ten days later, her BCVA became 20/25 OS. Although defects in the EZ and IZ remained, the fundus abnormality became obscured. Forty days later, her BCVA returned to 20/20 OS, her fundus findings appeared normal, and both EZ and IZ demonstrated nearly normal appearances. Although transient macular damage has been reported in young Patients after prolonged gazing at a computer game display, to our knowledge, this is the first report presenting similar OCT-detectable macular damage that is likely related to Smartphone usage. Since Smartphone’s have become exclusively popular all over the world among not only adults but also younger population, ophthalmologists should be aware that macular damage can occur in Smartphone users, particularly after gazing at the display under dim background illumination. Although such cases are rare, the damage is usually transient and spontaneously recovers after reducing the duration of Smartphone usage.

Spectral Evaluation of Eyeglass Blocking Efficiency of Ultraviolet/High-energy Visible Blue Light for Ocular Protection

“…Evidence is mounting that chronic exposure of the visible blue light can cause oxidative damage to the ocular tissues. 20,61 Further investigation is necessary to identify the quantity of short-wavelength light required for a physiologically functional balance, without causing damage to ocular tissues.…”

“…However, recent in vivo studies have examined retinal damage from blue light in rats and mice, 16–18 and human clinical experience is being reviewed and reported. 19,20…”

Diagnosis and management of transient smartphone blindness: A literature review

“…This phenomenon is highlighted as a potential consequence of excessive smartphone usage, shedding light on the impact of digital devices on ocular health, especially in younger populations. 26 Scholars recorded that patients with TSB had similar eye conditions of differential bleaching of retinal photopigment. The observations indicated that the eye not covered by a pillow adjusted to light, while the covered eye adapted to darkness.…”