Smartphone Use Leading to Illness... Teenage VDT Syndrome Cases Up 37% in Five Years

Number of VDT Syndrome Patients Rises Every Year
Teenage Patients Increase by 37.4% Over Five Years

VDT syndrome is spreading among teenagers addicted to smartphones. Unrelated to the article content. Getty Images Bank

The number of teenagers experiencing pain in their neck, hands, and eyes after prolonged use of smartphones and computers is rapidly increasing.

According to the "Statistics on Diseases of Public Interest" released by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service on August 2, the number of patients treated for "VDT (Visual Display Terminal) syndrome" last year reached 7,052,497.

VDT syndrome refers to a range of physical and mental disorders that occur when working for long periods in front of monitor screens such as computers, smartphones, and tablet PCs, while typing on a keyboard. The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service classified and counted patients with conditions such as cervical pain commonly known as "turtle neck," cervical sprain and tension, carpal tunnel syndrome, and dry eye syndrome as VDT syndrome.

As mobile device usage increases, the number of VDT syndrome patients has been rising every year. In 2020, there were approximately 6,285,000 patients, 6,549,000 in 2021, 6,622,000 in 2022, and 6,944,000 in 2023. Over the past five years, the number of patients increased by 12.2%. The total amount of medical expenses also surged by 55.8%, from 578.1 billion won in 2020 to 900.4 billion won in 2024.

The increase in teenage patients is particularly notable. In 2020, there were 289,000 teenage patients, but this number rose to 398,000 last year, representing a 37.4% increase over five years. VDT syndrome, once considered a "modern occupational disease" common among office workers, is now spreading to the younger generation. By gender, females accounted for 59%, outnumbering males. By age group, patients in their 50s made up the largest proportion at 18.9% of the total.

To prevent VDT syndrome, maintaining proper posture and taking regular breaks are important. When using a computer, it is advisable to keep a distance of at least 50 cm between the screen and your eyes and to align your elbows and keyboard at the same height. When using a smartphone or tablet, it is necessary to take a break and look away from the monitor for about 10 minutes every hour.