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Wi-Fi technology and human health impact: a brief review of current knowledge. ARHIV ZA HIGIJENU RADA I TOKSIKOLOGIJU 2022; 73:94-106. [PMID: 35792772 PMCID: PMC9287836 DOI: 10.2478/aiht-2022-73-3402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
An enormous increase in the application of wireless communication in recent decades has intensified research into consequent increase in human exposure to electromagnetic (EM) radiofrequency (RF) radiation fields and potential health effects, especially in school children and teenagers, and this paper gives a snap overview of current findings and recommendations of international expert bodies, with the emphasis on exposure from Wi-Fi technology indoor devices. Our analysis includes over 100 in vitro, animal, epidemiological, and exposure assessment studies (of which 37 in vivo and 30 covering Wi-Fi technologies). Only a small portion of published research papers refers to the “real” health impact of Wi-Fi technologies on children, because they are simply not available. Results from animal studies are rarely fully transferable to humans. As highly controlled laboratory exposure experiments do not reflect real physical interaction between RF radiation fields with biological tissue, dosimetry methods, protocols, and instrumentation need constant improvement. Several studies repeatedly confirmed thermal effect of RF field interaction with human tissue, but non-thermal effects remain dubious and unconfirmed.
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Wang C, Yuan K, Mou Y, Wu Y, Wang X, Hu R, Min J, Huang X, Jin X. High-Intensity Use of Smartphone Can Significantly Increase the Diagnostic Rate and Severity of Dry Eye. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:829271. [PMID: 35559345 PMCID: PMC9086534 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.829271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the effects of high-intensity use of smartphones on ocular surface homeostasis and to explore whether high-intensity use of handheld digital devices can cause false increase of dry eye diagnostic rate. Methods In this prospective self-control study, 60 subjects (120 eyes) were recruited and asked to read on smartphones provided by the same manufacturer for two consecutive hours. This study was conducted during 8:00 – 10:00 AM to eliminate the influence of digital equipment used the previous day. Ophthalmological examinations [non-invasive tear breakup time (NIBUT), fluorescein breakup time (FBUT), Schirmer I test, corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), bulbar conjunctival redness and meibomian gland (MG) assessment] and a questionnaire survey were conducted before and after the reading test. Based on the collected data, the changes in ocular surface damage and subjective symptoms of the subjects were evaluated, and the differences in the diagnostic rate of dry eye before and after high-intensity use of smartphones were compared. Results The diagnostic rate of dry eye was sharply increased (61.7% vs. 74.2%). The severity of dry eye also changed significantly, and the moderate and severe degree increased after reading (10% vs. 15%; 5% vs. 10.8%). The aggravated severity subjects had lower MG expressibility and more evident bulbar conjunctival redness compared to the non-aggravated severity subjects. After 2 h of continuous reading, NIBUT-First, NIBUT-Average and FBUT-Average were significantly decreased, while the proportion of BUT ≤ 5 s increased significantly. Non-invasive keratograph tear meniscus height(NIKTMH) decreased significantly compared to the baseline level, while the proportion of NIKTMH<0.20 mm increased significantly. No significant difference was observed in the Schirmer I test and CFS score between the two groups. Compared to the baseline, evident aggravation was observed in bulbar conjunctival redness. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) was significantly higher than the baseline after the reading test. Conclusion Diagnostic indicators related to dry eye are rapidly deteriorating after high-intensity smartphone use, especially those with lower MG expressibility and ocular redness. High-intensity smartphone use can increase the false positive rate of dry eye diagnosis by disturbing ocular surface homeostasis.
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Balmori A. Corneal opacity in Northern Bald Ibises ( Geronticus eremita) equipped with radio transmitters. Electromagn Biol Med 2022; 41:174-176. [DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2022.2046046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Balmori
- Environmental Department of Castilla y León, Junta de Castilla y León, Valladolid, Spain
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Wang L, Wei X, Deng Y. Computer Vision Syndrome During SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak in University Students: A Comparison Between Online Courses and Classroom Lectures. Front Public Health 2021; 9:696036. [PMID: 34307289 PMCID: PMC8296301 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.696036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: To compare the prevalence of computer vision syndrome in university students of different teaching modes during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak period. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study using the validated Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire in Chinese medical students of Sichuan University who took classroom lectures and the same-grade foreign students from a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program who took online lectures with similar schedules. Results: A total of 137 responses from 63 Chinese students and 74 MBBS students were obtained. The highest frequency of digital screen time was 7-9 h (43.24%, 32/74) for MBBS students and 2-4 h (46.03%, 29/63) for Chinese students. The prevalence of computer vision syndrome among Chinese students and MBBS students were 50.79% and 74.32%, respectively (P = 0.004). The average numbers of reported symptoms were 5.00 ± 2.17 in Chinese students and 5.91 ± 1.90 in MBBS students (P = 0.01). The three most highly reported symptoms were "heavy eyelids" (53.97%), "dryness" (50.79%), and "feeling of a foreign body" (46.03%) in Chinese students and "dryness" (72.97%), "feeling of a foreign body" (62.16%), and "heavy eyelids" (58.11%) in MBBS students. The sum grades of computer vision syndrome had a moderate positive correlation with screen time (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.386, P < 0.001). The grades of symptoms of "feeling of a foreign body," "heavy eyelids," and "dryness" showed a weak positive correlation with screen time (Spearman's correlation coefficients were 0.220, 0.205, and 0.230, respectively). Conclusion: Online study may contribute to the prevalence of computer vision syndrome among university students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixiang Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin Wei
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, ShangjinNanfu Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Yingping Deng
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Wang J, Li M, Zhu D, Cao Y. Smartphone Overuse and Visual Impairment in Children and Young Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Med Internet Res 2020; 22:e21923. [PMID: 33289673 PMCID: PMC7755532 DOI: 10.2196/21923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smartphone overuse has been cited as a potentially modifiable risk factor that can result in visual impairment. However, reported associations between smartphone overuse and visual impairment have been inconsistent. OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review was to determine the association between smartphone overuse and visual impairment, including myopia, blurred vision, and poor vision, in children and young adults. METHODS We conducted a systematic search in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science Core Collection, and ScienceDirect databases since the beginning of the databases up to June 2020. Fourteen eligible studies (10 cross-sectional studies and 4 controlled trials) were identified, which included a total of 27,110 subjects with a mean age ranging from 9.5 to 26.0 years. We used a random-effects model for meta-analysis of the 10 cross-sectional studies (26,962 subjects) and a fixed-effects model for meta-analysis of the 4 controlled trials (148 subjects) to combine odds ratios (ORs) and effect sizes (ES). The I2 statistic was used to assess heterogeneity. RESULTS A pooled OR of 1.05 (95% CI 0.98-1.13, P=.16) was obtained from the cross-sectional studies, suggesting that smartphone overuse is not significantly associated with myopia, poor vision, or blurred vision; however, these visual impairments together were more apparent in children (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.99-1.14, P=.09) than in young adults (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.57-1.46,P=.71). For the 4 controlled trials, the smartphone overuse groups showed worse visual function scores compared with the reduced-use groups. The pooled ES was 0.76 (95% CI 0.53-0.99), which was statistically significant (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Longer smartphone use may increase the likelihood of ocular symptoms, including myopia, asthenopia, and ocular surface disease, especially in children. Thus, regulating use time and restricting the prolonged use of smartphones may prevent ocular and visual symptoms. Further research on the patterns of use, with longer follow up on the longitudinal associations, will help to inform detailed guidelines and recommendations for smartphone use in children and young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wang
- School of Nursing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mei Li
- School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Daqiao Zhu
- School of Nursing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Cao
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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Kim J, Hwang Y, Kang S, Kim M, Kim TS, Kim J, Seo J, Ahn H, Yoon S, Yun JP, Lee YL, Ham H, Yu HG, Park SK. Association between Exposure to Smartphones and Ocular Health in Adolescents. Ophthalmic Epidemiol 2016; 23:269-76. [PMID: 27254040 DOI: 10.3109/09286586.2015.1136652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Smartphone use has dramatically increased in recent years. Smartphones may have adverse health effects, particularly on the eyes, because users stare at the screen for a much longer time than they do with ordinary mobile phones. The objective of this study was to elucidate the relationship between smartphone use and ocular symptoms among adolescents. METHODS Information on smartphone use and ocular symptoms (blurring, redness, visual disturbance, secretion, inflammation, lacrimation and dryness) related to eye fatigue and strain from 715 adolescent subjects from three cities in Korea was obtained using a structured questionnaire. Ocular health was scored using number of ocular symptoms. Odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) and p-values for ocular symptoms were calculated with binomial and multinomial logistic regression models. RESULTS Higher prevalence rates for ocular symptoms were observed in groups with greater exposure to smartphones (p < 0.05). Longer daily smartphone use was associated with a higher likelihood of having multiple ocular symptoms (5-7 symptoms out of 7 symptoms; p = 0.005). Excessive/intermittent use (>2 hours daily and ≤2 hours continuously) and excessive/persistent use (>2 hours daily and >2 hours continuously) compared to shorter use (<2 hours daily) were associated with multiple ocular symptoms (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.09-4.39; OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.11-4.57, respectively). A higher lifetime exposure to smartphones was associated with a higher likelihood of having multiple ocular symptoms (OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.51-6.19; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION Increasing exposure to smartphones can have a negative impact on ocular health in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joowon Kim
- a Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea
| | - Yunji Hwang
- b Department of Preventive Medicine , Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea.,c Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University , Seoul , Korea.,d Department of Biomedical Science , Seoul National University Graduate School , Seoul , Korea
| | - Seungheon Kang
- a Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea
| | - Minhye Kim
- a Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea
| | - Tae-Shin Kim
- a Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea
| | - Jay Kim
- a Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea
| | - Jeongmin Seo
- a Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea
| | - Hyojeong Ahn
- a Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea
| | - Sungjoon Yoon
- a Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea
| | - Jun Pil Yun
- a Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea
| | - Yae Lim Lee
- a Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea
| | - Hyunsoo Ham
- a Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea
| | - Hyeong Gon Yu
- e Department of Ophthalmology , Seoul National University , Seoul , Korea
| | - Sue K Park
- b Department of Preventive Medicine , Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea.,c Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University , Seoul , Korea.,d Department of Biomedical Science , Seoul National University Graduate School , Seoul , Korea
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Kanellopoulos AJ, Asimellis G. OCT corneal epithelial topographic asymmetry as a sensitive diagnostic tool for early and advancing keratoconus. Clin Ophthalmol 2014; 8:2277-87. [PMID: 25429197 PMCID: PMC4242699 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s67902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate epithelial thickness-distribution characteristics in a large group of keratoconic patients and their correlation to normal eyes employing anterior-segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS The study group (n=160 eyes) consisted of clinically diagnosed keratoconus eyes; the control group (n=160) consisted of nonkeratoconic eyes. Three separate, three-dimensional epithelial thickness maps were obtained employing AS-OCT, enabling investigation of the pupil center, average, mid-peripheral, superior, inferior, maximum, minimum, and topographic epithelial thickness variability. Intraindividual repeatability of measurements was assessed. We introduced correlation of the epithelial data via newly defined indices. The epithelial thickness indices were then correlated with two Scheimpflug imaging-derived AS-irregularity indices: the index of height decentration, and the index of surface variance highly sensitive to early and advancing keratoconus diagnosis as validation. RESULTS Intraindividual repeatability of epithelial thickness measurement in the keratoconic group was on average 1.67 μm. For the control group, repeatability was on average 1.13 μm. In the keratoconic group, pupil-center epithelial thickness was 51.75±7.02 μm, while maximum and minimum epithelial thickness were 63.54±8.85 μm and 40.73±8.51 μm. In the control group, epithelial thickness at the center was 52.54±3.23 μm, with maximum 55.33±3.27 μm and minimum 48.50±3.98 μm epithelial thickness. Topographic variability was 6.07±3.55 μm in the keratoconic group, while for the control group it was 1.59±0.79 μm. In keratoconus, topographic epithelial thickness change from normal, correlated tightly with the topometric asymmetry indices of IHD and ISV derived from Scheimpflug imaging. CONCLUSION Simple, OCT-derived epithelial mapping, appears to have critical potential in early and advancing keratoconus diagnosis, confirmed with its correlation with established Scheimpflug-derived asymmetry topometric indices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasios John Kanellopoulos
- LaserVision.gr Eye Institute, Athens, Greece ; Department of Ophthalmology, New York University Medical School, New York, NY, USA
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In Vivo Three-Dimensional Corneal Epithelium Imaging in Normal Eyes by Anterior-Segment Optical Coherence Tomography. Cornea 2013; 32:1493-8. [DOI: 10.1097/ico.0b013e3182a15cee] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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