How Does Excessive Screen Time Impact Visual Health and Neck Pain in Students?
- Julian Simpson
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
How Does Excessive Screen Time Impact Visual Health and Neck Pain in Students?
Prolonged postural imbalance, owing to excessive use of digital devices, can lead to the tightening of head and neck muscles, resulting in neck pain, a common musculoskeletal discomfort that significantly affects individuals with poor vision. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent among students who spend considerable amounts of time engaged in activities such as studying, gaming, or browsing on their smartphones and tablets. The repetitive nature of these activities, combined with static postures, can create a cycle of discomfort that is difficult to break.
When a person experiences discomfort, it often causes students to adopt altered head positions that exacerbate eye strain. For instance, leaning forward or tilting the head at uncomfortable angles can increase the strain on both the neck and the eyes. These issues often manifest in various ways, including headaches, decreased concentration, and fatigue, all of which can impact daily activities and overall quality of life. The cumulative effect of these discomforts can lead to a decrease in academic performance and engagement in extracurricular activities.
Poor postural balance, such as hunching forward, squinting, or uneven head tilting, is often triggered by misalignment in visual systems. This misalignment can stem from various factors, including uncorrected vision problems, improper screen settings, and inadequate lighting conditions. Prolonged postural imbalance may result in tightening of head and neck muscles, leading to neck pain and discomfort that can persist long after the screen time has ended. These physical manifestations are not merely temporary annoyances; they can develop into chronic conditions if not addressed properly.
In the past two decades, vision-related disturbances have been frequently documented in individuals with disorders of neck pain. Studies have shown a strong correlation between the two, suggesting that as neck pain increases, so too do visual disturbances.
Reportedly, symptoms such as jumping words, blurred vision, and an inability to read with focus are common among those with neck pain disorders. Likewise, symptoms associated with disordered focal vision, like dry and itchy eyes and fatigue, are becoming a snowballing issue owing to the rising trend in the use of digital devices. This creates a vicious cycle where visual discomfort leads to poor posture, which in turn exacerbates neck pain, further aggravating visual issues.
So how do we get eye problems due to our tech use?
Conditions such as near-sightedness (myopia) lead to the contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle, resulting in squinting to focus the eyes.
This squinting is a natural response to improve clarity but can become problematic when it is sustained over long periods.
Prolonged contraction can disturb tear film, corneal health, and eyelid function, potentially triggering symptoms in the neck region. The tension created in the facial and neck muscles can lead to referred pain, where discomfort is felt in areas away from the source of the problem.
Poor vision can also trigger asymmetrical use of neck muscles due to inappropriate head-to-trunk orientation, which affects overall postural balance. This asymmetry can lead to imbalances that further complicate the physical condition of students, as they may unconsciously favor one side of their body over the other. Prolonged adaptation to inappropriate head positions, such as forward head posture, can lead to stiffness in the head and neck muscles, ultimately contributing to neck pain and disability that may require medical intervention or physical therapy to resolve.
What happens to the neck with eye strains?
Mechanistically, excessive use of electronic devices, such as computers, can lead to continuous staring at monitors with a forward head position. This position is often adopted unknowingly while engrossed in tasks, leading to a gradual deterioration of posture.
This exaggerates the anterior curve in the lower cervical vertebrae and the posterior curve in the upper thoracic vertebrae, resulting in a forward head posture.
This misalignment not only affects the neck but can also have repercussions on the entire spine, leading to further complications. Visual disorders, such as near-sightedness, have also been correlated with forward head posture, creating a feedback loop of discomfort that is difficult to escape.
How much study on the computer or iPad can cause eye straining and neck problems?
Research from 2024 suggested that studying for 2 to 5 hours or more than 5 hours while using an iPad or similar smart device could substantially increase the severity of neck pain. This finding highlights the importance of monitoring screen time and incorporating regular breaks to alleviate the strain on both the visual system and the musculoskeletal system.
It is essential for students to adopt healthy habits, such as maintaining proper posture, adjusting screen height, and utilizing ergonomic furniture to reduce the risk of developing chronic pain and vision problems associated with excessive screen use.
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Reference
Almutairi H, Alhammad L, Aldossari B, Alonazi A. Prevalence and Interrelationships of Screen Time, Visual Disorders, and Neck Pain Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study at Majmaah University. Healthcare (Basel). 2024 Oct 17;12(20):2067. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12202067. PMID: 39451481; PMCID: PMC11507102.
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