Ophthalmologists have raised alarms about ‘Reel-Induced Eye Damage,’ linking excessive screen time—especially binge-watching reels—to rising cases of digital eye strain, dry eye syndrome, and myopia. Speaking at the Joint Meeting of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) and the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) at Yashobhoomi – India International Convention & Expo Centre, experts warned of an impending vision crisis.
Dr. Lalit Verma, Congress President of APAO, described the situation as a “silent epidemic.” He cited cases of children and young adults suffering from blurry vision and eye irritation due to prolonged reel-watching. “A student’s eyes stopped producing enough tears because of excessive screen exposure,” he said. Dr. Harbansh Lal, Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Past President of AIOS, explained that reels reduce blink rates by 50%, leading to dry eyes and difficulty shifting focus between near and distant objects.
Experts are particularly concerned about increasing myopia in children glued to reels for hours daily. “By 2050, over 50% of the world’s population could be myopic, a leading cause of irreversible blindness,” Dr. Lal warned. He added that fluctuating lens prescriptions, once observed until age 21, now persist until 30 due to excessive screen exposure.
Dr. Samar Basak, President of AIOS, highlighted the psychological impact, noting that prolonged reel consumption leads to social isolation, mental fatigue, and cognitive overload. “People are so absorbed in reels that they neglect real-world interactions and responsibilities,” he said. Dr. Partha Biswas, Incoming President of AIOS, described the phenomenon as ‘Reel Vision Syndrome,’ explaining that artificial lighting, rapid visual shifts, and prolonged near-focus activity overstimulate the eyes, leading to long-term damage.
To mitigate the effects, doctors recommend the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look 20 feet away. Users are also advised to blink more frequently, reduce screen time, and take regular digital detoxes. “Reels may be short, but their impact on eye health can last a lifetime,” Dr. Verma warned.
The press conference featured leading ophthalmologists, including Dr. Lalit Verma, Dr. Harbansh Lal, Dr. Samar Basak, Dr. Partha Biswas, Dr. J.S. Titiyal, Dr. Santosh Honawar, Dr. Manoj C. Mathur, and Dr. Namrata Sharma.
