Screen Time Science: How New Smartphones Aim to Protect Your Eyes

Dr. Allen breaks down new smartphone tech and how phone screens affect our eyes.
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We all spend way too much time staring at our phones. Most people will eventually experience some discomfort or eye strain while using phones for extended periods.
In addition to eye strain, there are also concerns that digital screens could be affecting our eye health overall. Thankfully, it is not just eye doctors and researchers interested in these issues, but also tech and smartphone companies as well.
Recently, a new smartphone from TCL was launched with the aim of making a more eye-friendly phone screen that can reduce digital eye strain. In this video, we take a look at this new technology and review what the published science says about smartphone screens and how they affect our eyes.
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DISCLAIMER: All content in this video and description including: infor­ma­tion, opinions, con­tent, ref­er­ences and links is for infor­ma­tional pur­poses only. The Author does not pro­vide any med­ical advice on the site. Noth­ing con­tained in this video or it’s description is intended to estab­lish a physician-patient rela­tion­ship, to replace the ser­vices of a trained physi­cian or health care pro­fes­sional, or oth­er­wise to be a sub­sti­tute for pro­fes­sional med­ical advice, diag­no­sis, or treatment. You should con­sult a licensed physi­cian or appropriately-credentialed health care worker in your com­mu­nity in all mat­ters relat­ing to your health. Also, some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning, at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. All non-licensed clips used for fair use commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.
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Sources: (Search these numbers) in PubMed www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
PMID: 33689614
PMID: 30805993
PMID: 24386252
PMID: 21415172
PMID: 19016463
PMID: 27253770
PMID: 25863264
PMID: 26768920
PMID: 27190022
PMID: 37074213
PMID: 28331379
PMID: 35809192
PMID: 34937246
PMID: 30663136
PMID: 14747951
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www.icnirp.org/cms/upload/pub...

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Do you ever experience eye strain or other symptoms while using your smartphone? What do you think of this new technology?

[@crystalesia9372]

i've been a gamer for my whole life, my first glasses was back in 2018 -0.5 on both, January 2023 i changed my glassed to -2.5 and i started to losing my sight range like 1 meter each month, right now i can only see clear from 1 meter, i also starting to have starburst, cant drive at night, even at sunny day, the starburst is still very clear that ita hard for me to drive in the day because cars light block my sight. I wish i never been a gamer, and im only 24. 😢

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

@@crystalesia9372 Thanks for sharing that, I too am a gamer and I am sure that all my days of playing gameboy (held super close to my face) accelerated my need for stronger glasses. But genetics does play a role in it too. My best friend is even a bigger gamer than I am but yet he has perfect vision. What are your favorite games?

[@crystalesia9372]

@@DoctorEyeHealth i used to play pokemon games, and still a big fan of pokemon, first person shooting game like counter strike, moba like arena of valor. I would spend like 8 hours of game. But right now i only play genshin impact and star rail. Due to depression i usually spend like 12 hours of screen time including playing those games, failed college 4 times, my first ever love for 2 years left me in 2021 and i cant move on till now, right now on my fifth college and 6 semester i just feel so tired everyday and feel to quit. My nephew who is a senior programmer also has healthy eyes 😄, i wonder if keeping my screen orangis due to blue light filter mode and low brightness contribute to my eyes problem, because i've been doing this ever since i got my first pair glasses.

[@rob9495]

Yes, I do. I think my dry eye and eye strain issues started shortly after I purchased my first smartphone. Love the new technology.

[@skizbees]

I have dry eyes and just started using drops again with contacts. A matte screen would be great for extended reading since I use a blue light filter as much as possible. It just feels like slightly gritty irritation of loose eyelashes with oily/dried buildup when waking.

[@lisevail4264]

I hope the TCL screen technology gets adopted by all phone brands. One strain I have experienced is when ads are moving (such as rotating slot machines in a casino ad🙄or even rotating shoes in a shoe ad🤯), and I’m just trying to read a newspaper article. The rotation or shimmy or shake really is uncomfortable to my reading focus. It’s not just a distraction; to me it’s real visual discomfort. I reported this effect to the Washington Post, CBS, NY Times, etc. whenever it has happened, requesting they avoid moving ads altogether (trying to be proactive). Just wanted to add this 😢 feature to the conversation.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

This is a really good point. There are some crazy lights/movement combos which can confuse the brain - hence why there are so many optical illusions. (I should probably do a video on that some time).

[@daskohlenstoffeinheit1971]

I've been dealing with alot of eye problems. And seeing your cold blue eyes give me hope ❤

[@CJFoxthewhitefoxden]

A very cool piece of phone tech! I do hope other major companies adopt this. The surprising part is the price. Though I"m guess the specs on this aren't like a main stream phone. (ie Galaxy or iPhone) Thanks for reviewing this, I may pic up one at some point to try out.

[@otiebrown9999]

Hi Joey, Thank you! When using a cellphone, i use a +2 Diopters, and read at 20 inches. I know that you do not care to protect your distance vision, for life, but I do. Your autobiographical video, was wonderful. That is why i post here!

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Thanks so much! I do care about my distance vision but its tough to get away from all the devices with my type of work. Thankfully, I have several eye docs around to help me out lol The fact you use a cellphone at 20 inches - most people hold it way way closer.

[@otiebrown9999]

@@DoctorEyeHealth Hi Joey, The "funny thing", is that we both induced myopia in our eyes 👀 exactly the same way. I believe that prevention is possible if I could wear a plus lens for all close work, monitor my Snellen and slowly work my way from 20/50 to 20/20. I know that the best OD in the world would not have help me do that scientific effort. But that is where we disagree.

[@lindarose8668]

Thank you. I always learn something important when I watch your channel. Thank you for helping us and God bless you☺️

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

You are so welcome! Thank you and same to you! Cheers

[@phunghuyhoaofficial]

Whoah.....So amazing! It's nice video... Thanks for the information!

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Glad you liked it! I did put a lot of work into it so thanks a bunch.

[@joegopher9280]

Unlike the OLED, it won't burn your eyes. The deepest layer of the screen panel can reflect environmental light, it feels like an actual paper. Good for e-book readers, but not for entertainment.😄

[@K00711]

Same thing done by using mate screen protector in your phone, But reality best way to reduce are strictly following 20-20-20 rule and using blink reminder apps, Limiting mobile usage

[@cassiehobbs5751]

I hope Apple and Google and android are listening. Most folks like me are too attached to their phones to buy a new device.

[@pxfsamurai]

How to use Optithrocin eye ointment Outer eyelid or inner eyelid ? Please reply

[@doloreswinsbarrow1110]

Thanks for the video. I believe u these phone really do damage eyes.

[@BenjaminLee2009]

How would this be different from Matt screen protectors? I have used one on my previous phone a couple years ago but I did not like the matt screen because it affects the quality of the screen hence I have a reflective glass protector on my samsung now.

[@IAmPlaysWithSquirrel]

Oof, I feel called out with the way my face stays glued to a screen, all the symptoms you outlined that I experience and my less than amazing vision. 🥴 Highly informative video as always, doc.

[@AlteTomate]

Sounds good. However, one major problem that almost all smartphones have is PWM. An alternative is needed here. The constant flickering can't be good for the eyes.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Flicker rates are a good question. I have heard some people are more sensitive to it and I do wonder if our brains can be overstimulated by it. Otherwise because the flicker is so fast, our brains don't perceive the flicker, it just fuses together, but that doesn't mean the brain doesn't get stimulated by it.

[@mysticz5478]

​@@DoctorEyeHealth hi , so is PWM an issue or not? Should I be worried about it?

[@muleman1701]

Thank you for this information. I was going to start to save up to get me a new phone as mine is approaching two years old. Now I know what I need to look for. I read a lot of eBooks and I despise that orange look of the night mode and when I turn own the blue light. This phone may actually make me read more.

[@oddy_gg]

I had a anti-glare screen protector 10 years ago. Doesn't this achieve exactly the same, on pretty much every phone?

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

I have only used a few anti-glare screen protectors in the past, but I know the stick on ones are pretty different. One reason I never really liked the anti-glare screen protectors was because they would bubble up/ warp and get dirty. what was your experience?

[@mariatempest]

Can you give me some advice please parshily sighted but right eye going same as left eye ❤

[@TheClimateChannel]

Can you do a video on post eyelid surgery tips? I have gotten chalazion excision surgery twice in the last 4 months and I have what looks like scar/granulation tissue remaining and it just seems to be staying there. I read online that you can try to still hot compresses and:or eyelid massages but they don’t seem to do much. It seems like it may take up to a year to really go away or I may need a plastic surgery for removal.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Hey thanks for the question. I do not have any videos on post eyelid surgery tips yet. But I can put it on my list. Is the scar/granulation on the inside of the eyelid? Where the excision was performed?

[@TheClimateChannel]

@@DoctorEyeHealth thank you for the response! The excisions I think were on the inside for the most part but I did have one doctor create a puncture on the outside which I still see the mark from as well. Further, I see some remnants of the steroid injections too.

[@mysticz5478]

Which phone do u use dr?

[@brandonrincon1208]

can you test if this is better for reducing blue light than an iphone's "night shift" mode?

[@stanthefeline]

Hi Dr Allen, do you have any update about this phone? Is it something you can use on a daily basis?

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Hey thanks for asking! I still use mine at nighttime before bed. I have my regular phone I use for work all day and then for evenings when i am watching a video or reading an article I try to use this smartphone. Hope this helps!

[@stanthefeline]

@@DoctorEyeHealth Thanks for the reply. I bet your primary phone is still more precious to you so you don't want to fully migrate? Do you think one can use this TCL as the primary phone for all-day use (forget gaming or video editing sort of heavy task)?

[@jaskiratsingh7750]

It's good for students I guess .... I mean we have to spend a lot of time checking class schedules or video lectures etc so yepp ... It's nice... Thanks for the information 🎉

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

I honestly didn't even get a smartphone until 2016 when I was finishing residency. I can't even imagine how much I would be looking at my phone if I had to go back to school. But I can tell you we see a lot of students with accommodative spasms due to extensive near device use.

[@jaskiratsingh7750]

As a kid I didn't get a smartphone till I was 12 because my parents had to go to work and I was home alone.... before that only emails and fax were the thing....I guess I need to limit my device use now hehehe 😂😂.... The problem is that after COVID a lot of universities have been providing video lectures as online sessions that are quite important and they are too long... Like an hour or so .. this is forcing us to sit in front of the screens for longer hours... Student life is half digital half in person now... That's tough 😭😭...

[@jessie9671]

Could you do a video on optic neuritis treatments?thanks

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

I will add it to my list of videos!

[@ultimateultra2419]

Screen flickering is the biggest issue for me. This is the main reason I can't purchase any samsung, iphones, googles and many more. I am forced to stick to Xiaomis, Huaweis and honors. Because these brands doesn't hurt my eyes as much.

[@arijitmondal3525]

Hey Dr. Allen , I am Arijit Mondal from India Can you make your next video on popular/Crazy Eye myths 😅👀👓

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

That is actually a great idea! I have had that on my list for some time. Maybe not for next week but in 2-3 weeks???

[@arijitmondal3525]

@@DoctorEyeHealth That will be great 😃

[@MdAbdulmojidraihanRaj]

I like this video 😄😄

[@stellabythesea1492]

I want one. I’m wondering if it’s compatible with us carriers? IE Verizon or T-Mobile

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

I believe it should be, it has a spot for a SIM card

[@stellabythesea1492]

@@DoctorEyeHealth I looked it up on Amazon. The Next Paper 40 isn’t offered in the US only in the UK Ireland and Greece 🥲

[@I-Am-Alexis]

What about adaptive brightness on smartphones? Just curious…

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Most modern phones have adaptive brightness now, even this one shown in the video. I think its a nice feature.

[@Ob1Chosen1]

Who’s here after seeing his comment under MKBHD’s video 🤚

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

haha glad you found it! I love MKBHD's content.

[@kcalderon03]

Are there any tablets similar to this screen technology?

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Yes, TCl makes tablets too, however I have not seen if they have the exact tech as in these smartphones, but I bet they are similar.

[@ck118_]

Perfect for people with Keratoconus!

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

perhaps!

[@luisherbert3920]

What if people used smartphones less

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

I think the world would be a better place lol

[@user-dh6bj2me5p]

How dirty does the matte scream get and how difficult is it to clean?

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

I actually have not had too much trouble with the screen getting dirty, it does have a coating on it to stop finger prints/smudges. But it does clean easily too.

[@user-dh6bj2me5p]

@@DoctorEyeHealth Thank you for your detailed reply. Sounds like a great technology. Can I buy an after-market matte screen for my Motorola cheap phone?

[@mysticz5478]

Please talk about PWM , should we be worried about it?

[@Dumigu]

hi, I wrote a comment to one of your videos, after looking at the screen of my smartphone, flashes appear in my eyes in the center for about 1-2 minutes, after that they go away, this happens after which I put my smartphone away, no one can explain to me What is this.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

That is definitely an interesting symptom! A few possible things come to mind, but the most important things your doctor will want to test is first to evaluate the retina to make sure it is intact and in good health, perhaps a scan of the retina with an OCT. in addition to this, visual disturbances are often evaluated with automated visual field testing to determine if their is a neurological cause. Some medications can cause flickering lights and changes to color vision as well but that’s more rare. Definitely something to consult your local eye doctor about. Do you also see these flickering lights when using a non- electronic near device? Like reading a book?

[@Dumigu]

@@DoctorEyeHealth thank you

[@Dumigu]

@DoctorEyeHealth I've been to several ophthalmologists and done tests and they all say my eyes are completely healthy and they have no idea. What could it be. This may be a neurological problem as I suffer from migraines with aura.

[@Dumigu]

@@DoctorEyeHealth I see these lights only after looking at the smartphone screen; if I look at a laptop or TV, then this does not happen.

[@bt-tc4gf]

Sometimes you just need a ruggedly handsome doctor to talk nerdy

[@cornkiller534]

Dr. Allen has become more handsome ever since his divorce!

[@Brucelee-pv6uf]

Dr I just wrote eye health and I saw your video 😫 I was just planning this plan Can you give me your thoughts I was planning every 4 or 5 days 1 day rest from smart phones???

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

I mean I salute you for trying. I’m just trying to reduce my screen time in general. The biggest part for me is stopping all screens 2 hours before I head to bed. It’s tough.

[@Brucelee-pv6uf]

@@DoctorEyeHealth its freaking tough and I really hate my life somtimes becz of this dry eyes stuff Whhat can we do ??? We need somthing else than eye drops !! Dr do you know how many eye drops brand I have ??? So many I can't count And I just finshed orderung ivizia eye drop now I swear I was on the website just now I wanna try it Ypu said its the best eye drop🤨 I will see Do you really think it can lst 8 hours ?? I asked some one who works in pharmacy amd she said its just for marketing ?!!! Whaaat! And by the way this is not avaiblr in my country Iam ordering it from the usa! Each bottle cost 20 dollars + the shipping cost 😭 If this do not work I will kil my self

[@giorgiovanni7002]

​@@Brucelee-pv6uf try to buy an e-ink device. It helped me tremendously. You could try a boox tablet like the Tab ultra/c/c pro or note air 3c and Hisense Smartphones like Hisense a9 or a7cc. I suffer from severe dry eyes but can use these devices without any issue. There are also some black and White pc monitors if you need them and color ones are being produced too.

[@prashanth7641]

Dear Dr. Allen, My name is Prashanth, and I am a software engineer from India. I am writing to seek your expert advice regarding eye health for individuals like myself who spend extended periods working on laptops and monitors. I typically work on my computer for around 9 hours a day, and during periods of tight deadlines, I may work for up to 10-12 hours. Recently, I have developed a symptom where my right eye takes a few blinks to focus sharply on distant objects when I immediately shift my gaze from a digital screen after working for extended periods. Could you please provide me with some insights into the potential cause of this symptom and offer any suggestions or recommendations you may have for individuals like me who spend a significant amount of time working on digital devices? I appreciate your time and expertise in addressing this matter. Sincerely, Prashanth

[@jaipeace]

It appears that this would require you to visit an eye doctor for further examination. Take care :)

[@toomanymarys7355]

You're supposed to take breaks and look around. Set a timer every 10 minutes for a 10 second eye break or train yourself to look away at something distant while you are thinking.

[@HHMRR25]

Can a person undergone icl surgery use electric eye mask for dry eyes???

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Usually not a problem but good to ask your surgeon what they think.

[@Bernardo-mt8ho]

What about the "boom" of premature presbyopia or astigmatism? Mainly after covid.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

I guess i haven't heard of that specifically, perhaps people just started having more eye strain from overusing digital devices while being inside?

[@toomanymarys7355]

​@@DoctorEyeHealthIt's not strain. It's from not getting enough daylight and not focusing on far things often enough.

[@ThatRobGuy_]

You can get a screen protector that does the same thing.

[@BlingyBea]

I’m not on my phone all day but I’m guilty of using my IPad all day, we’re retired, hope they do something with iPad screens.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

For sure! I am constantly between a computer screen, a tablet and a phone. I am looking at them all right now lol.

[@puggirl415]

the TCL website shows a lot more products than just smartphones. Tablets, laptops, phones and much more like TV's and other appliances. They have several tablets with the same technology as the phone.

[@denisplloca]

Honor 90?

[@pharxahghxst3654]

I turn off the blue light on vivid mode custom

[@tomek6916]

its very obvious that phones and any other close up activies would cause myopia in not just children, but adults too

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

It can, at least for people in their younger 20s. But the risk of the prescription advancing is much lower than with young children.

[@mehmetalikaplan7386]

Can you review about Huawei Matepad 11.5 papermatte edition😂

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

I have not seen it, honestly never used anything from Huawei. But I could look into it. Have you tried it?

[@mehmetalikaplan7386]

@@DoctorEyeHealth this tablet is the only paperlike screen tablet

[@user-zv6zf1gc6q]

Hi, Doctor, we'd like to invite you to review our contact lens cleaning device that utilizes electrophoresis technology and is FDA approved.

[@HisLove4You]

Now if they can ( really) protect our privacy and our dumbing down, we will be doing okay lol 😊

[@gaylecheung3087]

Get out of here, no way… cool

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Right!? It makes me happy to see new tech like this being developed.

[@jaipeace]

Really nice and very informative review doc!😇🫶🏻

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Thank you kindly! Glad you liked it!