(hla) Leader laser eye surgeon David Allambym announced that 40-50 percent of 30-year olds could suffer from myopia by 2033 as a result of smartphones. Although smartphones have made our lives easier, is the potential vision impairment worth it?

Also the founder of Focus Clinics, Allambym reported a 35 percent increase of patients with advancing myopia since the launch of smartphones in 1997. He also claims that that there is potential for the condition in young adults to increase by 50 percent within 10 years.

Cataracts are cloudy spots in the eye lens, which should normally be clear. This condition can exist in one or both eyes. A normal clear lens would otherwise allow light to pass through to the back of the eye so that one can see well-defined images. Cataract development is usually a very gradual process of normal ageing but can occasionally occur rapidly. Many people are in fact, unaware that they have cataracts because the changes in their vision have been so gradual.

Visual hygiene is generally recommended for those who work long hours with computers, students who spend most of their time studying and people who constantly strain their eyes with close-up vision work such as painting and sewing.

The term "visual" is anything that relates to vision to attain or maintain sight. "hygiene" on the other hand is defined as the means to maintain health.  People are advised to maintain a good posture and sit in a location that has good lighting when carrying out any task that requires focusing. These are some useful tips to maintain your visual hygiene: