Nigerians have been advised to avoid excessive use of mobile phones, computers and other digital devices, particularly in dark environments, as such habits pose serious risks to eye health and overall wellbeing.
A medical expert from the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Dr. Oluwamuyiwa Oloruntobi as during a medical outreach programme held at Kwara NUJ Secretariat as part of the ongoing 2025 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council.
Dr Oloruntobi explained that prolonged exposure to screens in darkness forces the eyes to work under abnormal conditions because of the high level of light emitted by digital devices.
He noted that prolonged use of screen can also cause excessive strain on the retina while making the brain function at an unusually high level.
According to him, continuous screen exposure can trigger frequent headaches, eye fatigue and blurred vision, which may gradually weaken the lens of the eye.
The Medical expert maintained that poor posture associated with long hours of phone and computer use can also result in neck and shoulder pain.
He also warned that constant screen exposure could contribute to dry eyes, sleep disturbance and reduced concentration, noting that the blue light from digital devices interferes with normal sleep patterns.
Dr OlorunTobi advised Nigerians to consciously reduce their screen time, especially at night, dim their screen brightness to match their environment and take regular breaks when using digital devices.
He also recommended the use of protective or anti-glare glasses to reduce the harmful effects of light rays from screens.
The medical outreach, which formed part of activities lined up for the NUJ Kwara 2025 Press Week, provided journalists and members of the public with free medical consultations and health education, underscoring the importance of preventive healthcare and healthy lifestyle choices.
