After concerns about the impact of short-form video on mental health, doctors are now increasing an alarm about a new, growing crisis-“‘Reel-inspired eye damage.’ Excessive screen time, especially on social media platforms such as Instagram, Tikok, Facebook and YouTube, is leading to spikes in eye disorders in all age groups, especially between children and young adults, especially between children and young adults.
It was shared by prominent ophthalmologists during the joint meeting of the Asia Pacific Academy of Opthalmology and All India Eye Society at the Yashobomi -India International Convention and Expo Center on Tuesday.
Asia Pacific Academy of Opthalmology (APAO) 2025 Congress President Dr. Lalit Verma issued a strong warning against the ‘Digital Eye Strain silent epidemic’ due to excessive screen exposure. He said, “We are seeing a sharp increase in dry eye syndrome, myopia progress, eye stress and even early start, especially in children who spend hours to see the reels,” he said.
“A student recently saw us complaining about the eye irritation and blurred vision. After the examination, we found that their eyes were not causing enough tears due to the long screen time to see the reels at home. They were immediately placed on the eyes and advised to follow the 20-20-20 rule-” 20 feet away in 20 seconds, taking 20 seconds away. ,
Dr. Harabanash Lal, Chairman, Organizing Committee and President of All India Eye Society explained the seriousness of the issue.
Dr. Lal said, attractive reels are designed to hold and keep in mind for a long time.
“However, this continuous screen determination reduces the blink rates by 50 percent, leading to dry eye syndrome and habitat (difficulty focusing between near and distant objects). Experts warned that if this habit remains uncontrolled, it can be in long -term vision problems and even permanent eye stress.
Dr. Lal further said that children who stick to the reels for hours daily are at risk of developing initial myopia, which is moving more rapidly than ever.
Adults are also experiencing constant headaches, migraines and sleep disorders due to exposure to blue light.
According to recent studies, by 2050, more than 50 percent of the world’s population will be myopic, which is the most common cause of irreversible blindness.
Now with the increased screen time, we are observing the ups and downs of the lens number by the age of 30, which was 21, a few decades ago, Dr. Lal said.
Studies suggest that the increasing number of people, especially students and working professionals, digital eye stress, squinting, and high speed, are deteriorating eyesight due to prolonged contact for visually stimulating materials. Doctors have also noted a disturbed tendency of social isolation, mental fatigue and cognitive overload that are associated with continuous reel consumption.
AIOS President and a senior ophthalmologist Dr. Summer Basak highlighted the social and psychological tolls of excessive screen time.
“We are looking for a related pattern, where people are so absorbed in the reels that they neglect the real -world interaction, which leads to less focus on stressful family ties and education and work.” Dr. Partha Biswas, senior ophthalmologist and the upcoming chairman of AIOS, said, “Artificial lighting, visual change, and long -term focus of focus activity is eliminating the eyes, leading to an event that we call ‘Reel Vision Syndrome’.” It is time that we take it seriously before it turns into a fully developed public health crisis. “To combat the adverse effects of excessive reel-watching, ophthalmologists recommend following the 20-20-20 rule.
A conscious effort to get a conscious effort to take a more often while taking a digital detox such as the screen time, while watching the screen, while watching the screen, reduce the screen time and take a digital detox such as regular screen brakes can help reduce dependence and prevent long -term damage.
With eye disorders when increased due to irregular reel consumption, health experts urged parents, teachers and social media users to take immediate preventive measures. “Reels may be reduced, but their effect on eye health may live throughout life,” Dr. Lal warned.
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