A recent expose has sounded the alarm on a vision condition increasingly common among regular smartphone users in Japan. The term "スマホ斜視" ("Smartphone Eyestrain") refers to the phenomenon where constant smartphone usage causes visual disturbances, such as seeing double. Health professionals are advising the public to be aware of persistent eye discomfort and unusual vision symptoms, which could indicate the onset of smartphone-induced astigmatism.

With the high penetration of smartphones in Japanese society, digital eye strain problems are a significant health concern. There is a social value placed on prevention and holistic healthcare along with a tech-forward lifestyle, prompting individuals to take notice of adverse effects of technology on their health.

In the US or EU, similar issues are met with a combination of individual, corporate, and state response. For example, individual practices such as adopting the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes spent using a screen, you look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds) for relieving eye strain, while tech companies develop features like screen time limitation or Night Shift mode in devices to limit harmful effects.