Doctors Warn: Watching Reels for Hours Can Cause Blindness!

Constantly focusing on watching reels on a screen reduces blinking by 50 percent, leading to dry-eye syndrome and difficulty switching focus between near and far objects. Experts warn that if this habit is not curbed, it can lead to long-term vision disease. Nowadays, people of all age groups are getting addicted to watching reels. Doctors have warned about this addiction and said that it can damage the eyes. By watching reels available on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, eye problems are increasing among people of all ages, especially children and youth.

This was shared by eye specialist doctors at the meeting of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and All India Ophthalmological Society at Yashobhoomi- India International Convention and Expo Centre on Tuesday. Dr Lalit Verma, President of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) 2025 Congress, issued a stern warning against the ‘epidemic of digital eye strain’ caused by excessive screen exposure. He said, ‘We are seeing a rapid increase in cases of dry eye syndrome, myopia, and eye strain, especially in children who spend hours watching reels.

The doctor said, ‘Recently, a student came to us complaining of constant eye irritation and blurred vision. After examination, we found that his eyes were not able to produce enough moisture due to watching reels on the screen for a long time at home. He was immediately given eye drops and advised to follow the 20-20-20 rule. That is, take a break of 20 seconds every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away.

Reduction in blinking rate by watching reels:

Dr. Harbansh Lal, chairman of the organizing committee and president of the All India Ophthalmological Society, said that this issue is very serious. He said that short and attractive reels are designed to grab and retain attention for a long time. He said, ‘However, constantly focusing on the screen reduces the blinking rate by 50 percent, leading to dry-eye syndrome and accommodation spasm (difficulty switching focus between near and far objects). Experts warn that if this habit is not stopped, it can lead to long-term vision disease and even permanent eye strain.

Dr Lal further said that children who spend hours watching TV every day are at risk of developing early myopia, and its cases are increasing at a faster rate than ever before. Young people also often face headaches, migraines, and sleep problems due to the blue light of phones and other digital devices.

Many recent studies have said that by 2050, more than 50 percent of the world’s population will suffer from nearsightedness. This is the most common cause of blindness. It has been observed in many researches that students and working professionals remain in contact with the screen for a long time, due to which the strain on their eyes increases and their vision becomes weak.

Doctors say that watching reels not only increases strain on the eyes but also leads to social isolation and mental fatigue. Dr Samar Basak, President of AIOS and senior ophthalmologist said, ‘We are seeing a worrying pattern where people get so engrossed in watching reels that they ignore real-world interactions, leading to spoilt family relationships, reduced focus on education and work.

Senior ophthalmologist and new president of AIOS, Dr. Partha Biswas, said, ‘Artificial light, rapid changes in the scene and prolonged close focus are having a greater impact on the eyes. This is leading to a phenomenon we call ‘Reel Vision Syndrome’. We must take it seriously before it turns into a major health crisis.

Read This: How Does Artificial Intelligence Pose a Danger to Humankind?

What to do to avoid damage to the eyes due to the screen?

To deal with the side effects of excessive screen time, ophthalmologists recommend following the 20-20-20 rule. Increasing your blink rate, trying to blink more often while looking at a screen, minimising the time you spend looking at a screen and taking regular screen breaks like taking a digital detox can reduce the impact of screen time on the eyes. Dr Lal warns those who watch reels, ‘Reels may be small, but their impact on eye health can last a lifetime.