As the popularity of short-form videos continues to skyrocket on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, a new health concern has emerged—‘reel-induced eye damage’. At the ongoing Joint Meeting of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) and All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS), top ophthalmologists have sounded the alarm over what they describe as a silent epidemic affecting eye health across all age groups. The concern is rooted in the growing evidence that excessive screen time, particularly due to binge-watching short, highly engaging reels, is contributing to an alarming spike in eye-related disorders. From children as young as six to working adults in their prime, people are increasingly reporting symptoms such as eye irritation, blurry vision, dryness, squinting, and even cognitive fatigue.
 

Dr Lalit Verma, president of APAO 2025 Congress, emphasized during the conference at Yashobhoomi – India International Convention and Expo Centre – that they are witnessing a sharp rise in cases of dry eye syndrome, myopia progression, early-onset squinting, and digital eye strain, especially among the youth. “One of our young patients, a school student, came in with constant eye discomfort and blurry vision. Upon examination, it was found that prolonged hours watching reels had drastically reduced his tear production,” said Dr Verma. The child was put on artificial tear drops and advised to follow the 20-20-20 rule—taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away. Dr Harbansh Lal, chairman of the organising committee and president of AIOS, explained how short-form videos, by design, captivate the viewer and hold their gaze for long periods. This leads to a 50% reduction in blink rate, which causes tear evaporation and dry eye conditions. He warned that if this behavior continues unchecked, it could result in accommodation spasms, where the eyes struggle to shift focus between nearby and distant objects—a common precursor to vision loss.
 

Dr Lal added, “We’re not just seeing worsening eyesight, but also fluctuation in lens power till the age of 30, a trend that used to stabilize at age 21 just a few decades ago.” Equally concerning is the mental and social toll of reel overconsumption. Dr Samar Basak, senior ophthalmologist and president of AIOS, observed that excessive screen usage is pushing people into social isolation, reduced real-world interaction, and mental exhaustion. He mentioned that family dynamics are being strained and young individuals are showing declining focus in both academics and work. Dr Partha Biswas, incoming AIOS president, described this emerging crisis as “Reel Vision Syndrome”. He explained that a combination of artificial lighting, fast-paced visuals, and prolonged near focus overstimulates the eyes, leading to fatigue, headaches, and potential long-term damage. "We are seeing a whole new category of patients suffering not from traditional eye diseases, but from technology-induced eye strain,” he added.
 

According to global projections, by 2050, over 50% of the world’s population may be myopic, which could lead to a surge in irreversible blindness. Health experts believe that increasing digital content consumption, especially among children, is accelerating this timeline.

In response to this growing threat, ophthalmologists are urging immediate preventive measures, particularly among children and young adults:

• Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

• Increase blink rate: Make a conscious effort to blink while using screens.

• Reduce screen time: Set daily limits and take regular breaks.

• Digital detoxes: Encourage screen-free days or hours.

• Ergonomic setups: Ensure proper lighting and screen positioning to reduce strain.

• Regular eye check-ups: Especially for children, to monitor myopia progression and dryness.

Doctors are also urging parents and educators to monitor children’s screen habits and create boundaries around recreational screen use. Mental health professionals are also beginning to explore the psychological effects of overexposure to rapid visual stimuli, warning of potential attention deficits, memory issues, and emotional detachment. “Reels may be entertaining and short-lived, but their impact on the eyes—and the brain—can be profound and long-term,” warned Dr Lal. With screen-based content now deeply embedded in daily life, experts say the time to act is now to avoid turning a growing concern into a full-blown public health crisis. As the digital world continues to evolve, so must our awareness of its health impacts. Simple lifestyle changes today can protect vision and mental health for years to come.