New research found that the average smartphone user holds the handset 30 cm from their face - with some people holding it just 18cm away - compared to newspapers and books, which are held 40cm away from the eyes.

According to Mr Allamby, excessive screen watching at close proximity keeps the genes that control myopia activated well beyond the age that short-sighted would historically have stabilized - about 21. Myopia used to stop developing in people’s early 20s but now it is now seen progressing throughout the 20s, 30s, and even 40s.

Mr Allamby said: ‘If things continue as they are, I predict that 40 to 50 per cent of 30-years-old could have myopia by 2033 as a result of smartphones and lifestyles in front of screens an epidemic we call screen sightedness. ‘People need to ensure they limit screen time wherever possible even by going outside without their phone for a period of time each day (getting out into the sunshine has been shown to reduce the progression of short-sight), and also seriously consider the age at which they give their children a smartphone.’ Mr Allamby says today's children are most at risk of myopia – with children as young as seven being given smartphones.
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