Apple’s iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 have an essential feature for modern-day smartphone users – Screen Distance – that can reduce nearsightedness.
The feature will remind users to keep their phones away whenever they breach a set length of 12 inches. Also, it recommends users use their iPhones from arm’s length. This is a needed feature, especially for kids at a time when many are hanging on to their phones every day.
Protecting You From Nearsightedness
Smartphones have become an integral part of our lives today. Making almost every work possible with our tiny handheld gadgets, users feel phones are beneficial. While it’s true, risks associated with the constant usage of smartphones should be treated too balanced.
In this pursuit, Apple introduced a new feature in the recently rolled iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, Screen Distance, that will prevent users from gazing at their phones very closely. This is an important addition, considering how many people are affected by nearsightedness these days, caused due to prolonged screen times.
For instance, an American spends four hours on average on a smartphone every day, causing nearsightedness or myopia – a vision condition that makes far-away objects look blurry. This situation is more intriguing among kids with vision impairment early in life.
Thus, to prevent this, Apple added Screen Distance in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 to remind users to handle their devices from a distance. This option is available in Settings > Screen Time > Screen Distance in iPhone XS and newer models, and 2018 iPad Pro and more unique variants
Apple Insider notes the feature uses the TrueDepth camera to determine the distance between your eyes and the screen and flashes an “iPhone is Too Close” pop-up whenever you’re handling it closely. A healthy space is inches from your eyes, but using from an arm’s length is even better.
