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. Dr Harbansh Lal, chairman of the organizing 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.