Reel Mania Puts Kids’ Eye Health In Danger, Warn Ophthalmologists

New Delhi: Leading ophthalmologists on Tuesday warned that they are witnessing a sharp increase in cases of dry eye syndrome, myopia progression, eye strain and even early-onset squinting in children who spend hours watching reels on various social media platforms.

After raising the alarm bell about the impact of short-form videos on mental health, doctors are now concerned about a new, growing crisis — ‘Reel-Induced Eye Damage.’

Excessive screen time, particularly binge-watching reels on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, is leading to a spike in eye disorders across all age groups, especially among children and young adults, said healthcare experts during the joint meeting of Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and All India Ophthalmological Society in the national capital.