Are reels destroying your eyesight? Experts sound the alarm, especially for kids

medium nocaption120066579The list of mobile phone-induced health problems has become longer. Social media consumption can not only trigger mental wellbeing, healthcare experts now warn that ‘reel-induced eye damage�?could impact the eyesight of youngsters and adults addicted to watching short-form videos.Doctors report an increasing trend in eye-related conditions, particularly among children and teenagers (0-16 years), attributed to lengthy social media engagement on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook and YouTube. This information surfaced during a recent joint meeting of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) and the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS), being held in Delhi.As eye problems increase due to excessive reel viewing in children, health specialists advise immediate action from parents, teachers and users. “Reels may be short, but their impact on eye health can last a lifetime,�?warned Dr Harbansh Lal, chairman, organising committee, and former president, AIOS. “It’s time we take control before we lose sight �?literally.”Pointing to rising instances of digital eye strain from excessive screen time, Dr Lalit Verma, congress president, APAO, said, “We are seeing a sharp increase in cases of dry eye syndrome, myopia progression, eye strain, and even early-onset squinting, especially in children who spend hours watching reels.”Myopia is an eye disease associated with near-sightedness where distant objects appear blurry, while close objects appear normal. For instance, you can read a map clearly but have trouble seeing well enough to drive a car. Other symptoms may include headaches and eye strain. Severe myopia is associated with an increased risk of macular degeneration, retinal detachment, cataracts, and glaucoma.The American Academy of Ophthalmology explains the cause of myopia an blurry vision. It says, "For you to see clearly, light rays must travel through the front layers of the eye (the cornea and lens). The cornea and lens work together to bend the light so it lands on the back layer of the eye, called the retina. The retina then sends a signal to your brain that allows you to see. With nearsightedness, the shape of your eye prevents light from bending properly, so that light is aimed in front of your retina instead of on your retina. For example, the cornea at the front of your eye may be too steeply curved, or your eye may be longer front to back than normal. In either case, the light rays fall short of the retina. When light is not focused on the retina as it should be, your vision is blurry." medium nocaption120066593Dr Lal recalled a recent case where a student complained of persistent eye irritation and blurry vision. "After examination, we found his eyes were not producing enough tears due to prolonged screen time at home watching reels. He was immediately put on eye 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 Lal explained why reels, in particular, are harmful. These brief, captivating short videos, he said, are created to maintain attention for extended periods. This constant screen focus decreases blinking by 50%, resulting in dry eyes and focus-related difficulties. Specialists caution that continued exposure could cause lasting vision issues.Elaborating on how this happens, Dr Lal said, “Impairment of tear glands, specifically the meibomian glands, combined with less frequent blinking, can result in dry eye disease [DED]. This condition manifests through symptoms such as discomfort, blurred vision and rapid tear evaporation. The meibomian glands, situated within the eyelids, are responsible for secreting meibum, an oily substance crucial for maintaining tear film stability and preventing tears from evaporating too quickly.”“When people blink less frequently or incompletely, it leads to quicker evaporation of tears, unstable tear film and heightened likelihood of experiencing dry eye symptoms. Extended use of digital devices results in reduced blinking frequency and more incomplete blinks. These factors can cause the eye surface to become dry and potentially trigger the onset of DED,�?he said.“Children who are glued to reels for hours daily are at risk of developing early myopia, which is progressing faster than ever before. Adults, too, are experiencing frequent headaches, migraines and sleep disorders caused by blue light exposure,�?Dr Lal added.Research indicates that by 2050, over 50% of people globally could develop myopia, a primary cause of permanent vision loss. Current observations show vision prescription changes continuing until age 30, compared to age 21 in the previous decades, he noted.Research reveals increasing numbers of students and professionals experiencing digital eye strain, squinting and worsening eyesight due to extended exposure to fast-paced visual content. Doctors also observe concerning trends of isolation, mental exhaustion and cognitive stress linked to continuous reel consumption.Discussing the social impact, Dr Samar Basak, president, AIOS, noted that people’s absorption in reels often affects family bonds as well as academic and professional focus. Dr Partha Biswas, senior ophthalmologist, said artificial light, quick visual transitions and sustained close range focus create ‘reel vision syndrome�? and emphasised the urgency of addressing the issue before it turns into a full-blown public health crisis.To prevent any adverse and long-term effects of excessive reel-watching, eye specialists recommend the 20-20-20 rule, increased blinking, reduced screen time and regular digital breaks. And to children, their advice is to spend more time playing outdoors.