Why Do Some People Stare at Phones All Day and Still Have Perfect Vision? (And Why Can’t I?)
Nearsightedness is such a hassle. Forget your glasses, and you can’t read the meeting screen or recognize a friend across the street—it throws a wrench in work and friendships alike. And don’t even get me started on the small miseries: glasses slipping down your nose when you sweat in summer, or fogging up the second you walk into a warm coffee shop in winter. “You have no clue how frustrating this is!” Trust me—I get it.
But here’s the kicker: Your own struggle is bad enough, but watching someone else get away with the same habits? That stings. You probably know someone like this—ordinary, but with eyesight that feels unfair:
When you squint to make out the meeting screen without your glasses, they read it effortlessly.
When you’re walking down the street, they point to a sign far away and say, “Let’s get spicy hot pot at that spot!” while all you see is a blurry orange blob.
When you complain about the hassle of glasses or contacts, hoping for a little sympathy, their confused “Wait, why is that hard?” just makes you more annoyed.
If they barely used their phone, you could accept it—their good eyesight would feel like a trade-off for “missing out on phone fun” or “staying disciplined.” But no—they’re glued to their screen just as much as you are. Why the double standard? It feels so unfair.
You can’t help but wonder: How do they do it? And let’s be real—is there a trick you can steal? Here’s the breakdown of why some people avoid nearsightedness, even with constant phone use.
Reason 1: They Probably Won the Genetic Lottery
If you know someone with perfect vision, ask them this (you might have already): “Do your parents have good eyesight too?” Chances are, the answer is yes.
Studies back this up. A classic 2007 study found parental nearsightedness has a huge impact on kids’ risk:
Kids with both parents nearsighted have a 43.6% chance of being nearsighted themselves.
If only one parent is nearsighted, that risk drops to 14.9%.
If neither parent is nearsighted? Just 7.6%.
You might think: “But my parents are nearsighted, and my grandparents weren’t—how does that fit?” Even if your parents’ nearsightedness came from their environment (not born with it), they can still pass down a “nearsightedness risk” to you. It’s not just about “being born with it”—genes set the stage for how likely your eyes are to weaken.
Another genetic win: “hyperopic reserve.” Most babies are born slightly farsighted (their eye axes are shorter), and as they grow, the axes lengthen to a “normal” size for clear vision. Some people have more of this reserve and slower eye growth—so their eyes never stretch past that normal length (which is what causes nearsightedness). Spoiler: This is all luck.
Reason 2: Environmental Habits (Thankfully, Not All Luck!)
If it were all genetics, it’d be soul-crushing—like someone winning the lottery for doing nothing. But there’s good news: Environment plays a big role too. Genes give you a “nearsightedness risk,” but habits determine whether that risk turns into reality. Think of it like a scale: Genes add weight, but environment adds more—and once it tips, nearsightedness sets in.
The biggest environmental factor? Outdoor time as a kid. People with lifelong perfect vision often spent hours outside growing up—even if they weren’t running around (just sitting on a bench counts!). Studies show more outdoor time lowers nearsightedness risk, and it’s most effective before adulthood.
Maybe back in school, when the PE teacher said “free time,” they played on the playground while you stayed inside to finish math homework. You got better grades, but they built up that crucial eye protection.
And here’s a reality check: Even people with good genes aren’t invincible. A common comment from people who lost perfect vision later in life sums it up: “I used to read lying down, scroll my phone in bed every night, and work 12-hour days staring at a computer. I thought my eyesight would never fail—but by my 30s, I could barely see 20/20.”
Genes buy time, but constant screen abuse (bad posture, scrolling in the dark) will catch up eventually.
For You (Even If You’re Already Nearsighted): Practical Tips to Protect Your Eyes
Quitting your phone isn’t realistic—so here are doable habits to keep your vision from getting worse:
Hold your phone right: Keep it at arm’s length (not 6 inches from your face!). Try to keep your gaze level with the screen—looking down for hours strains your eyes.
Match screen brightness to your environment:
Bright sunlight: Crank it to 80–100% (dim screens force your eyes to work harder).
Dark rooms (like at night): Keep it at 0–30% (bright screens disrupt sleep and strain eyes).
Take quick eye breaks: Every 30 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Even just blinking more (we blink less when staring at screens!) keeps eyes moist and reduces dryness.
Skip these eye-harming products:
Privacy screen protectors: They dim the screen, making your eyes strain to see—long-term use can worsen nearsightedness.
Expired eye drops: They can cause redness, stinging, or even corneal ulcers (toss them after the expiration date!).
Glasses with damaged coatings: Scratched or peeling coatings blur vision and cause strain—replace them sooner, not later.
Get regular eye exams: If you’re highly nearsighted, ask your doctor for a fundus exam (it checks the back of your eye) every year—this catches early issues before they get worse.
Final Thought: It’s Not About “Fair”—It’s About Protecting What You Have
It’s easy to envy someone with perfect vision, even with constant phone use. But genes and childhood habits set the stage—you can’t change that. What you can change is how you treat your eyes now.
And hey—send this to your friend with “unfair” eyesight. Remind them: Even great genes can’t survive 24/7 screen abuse. Good eyesight is a gift, not a guarantee.
For you? Don’t let frustration make you neglect your eyes. Small, daily habits will keep your vision from getting worse—and that’s a win worth fighting for.
