Something you probably won't see much of in the American media:

Prolonged use of mobile phones can lead to permanent eye damage including cataracts, scientists believe.

Medical researchers have found that microwave radiation of the type emitted by mobile phones causes eye tissue to "bubble" - a precursor to the formation of cataracts - and can also interfere with the ability to focus.

Of course there have been reports of risks from the relatively high-power output from cell phones for years. But there's been much reluctance to let go of the convenience of going mobile. In Japan and elsewhere, people try to diffuse the radiation by attaching doodads to their antennae. I don't' know if that helps much.

Prolonged use of mobile phones can lead to permanent eye damage including cataracts, scientists believe

Medical researchers have found that microwave radiation of the type emitted by mobile phones causes eye tissue to "bubble" - a precursor to the formation of cataracts - and can also interfere with the ability to focus.

That is not arcane damage to DNA but actual physical disruption of tissue structures.

I've always been nervous about how my cellular phones over the years -- and I've used them since 1995 -- would make my ear and cheek get warm. I'd have these awful images in my mind of what was happening to my brain. So since around 2001 I've been using an earpiece for my cell. I'm glad I have.

I only wish I'd done it sooner, back when cell phones cranked out much more power -- especially in the pre-digital era. I do have more trouble focusing my eyes these days, but I suspect that's more due to age and staring at computer screens all day.

• Laura's blog
•