Dial down on phone use to live longer

Using smartphones too much could cause body aches, eye strain and sleep issues as well as affect relationships, experts say

Using the smartphone when it is held too close to the eyes could lead to a worsening of short-sightedness or myopia, says Dr Claudine Pang, an ophthalmologist at Asia Retina Eye Surgery Centre.
Using the smartphone when it is held too close to the eyes could lead to a worsening of short-sightedness or myopia, says Dr Claudine Pang, an ophthalmologist at Asia Retina Eye Surgery Centre. PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO
Joyce Teo
Senior Health Correspondent
Updated
Published
May 6, 2019 at 5:00 AM
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Many of us rely on our smartphones to help keep time, manage our lives, connect with others, stay entertained, retain beautiful memories and more.

But we should not have to risk our lives using the device. Last month, a video of a woman in Singapore who was hit by a taxi in Lavender Street while jaywalking and talking on her phone went viral.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 06, 2019, with the headline Dial down on phone use to live longer. Subscribe

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