Rising Craze of Watching Reels:
Nowadays, there is a massive trend of watching reels on social media. People keep scrolling on their mobile screens for hours, which is having a negative impact on their eyes. Prolonged screen time reduces the blinking rate by almost 50%, leading to decreased eye moisture and the emergence of several serious eye problems.
Why Is Blinking Frequency Decreasing Due to Watching Reels?
At a meeting held in Delhi by the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and the All India Ophthalmological Society, experts explained that reels are designed in such a way that people stay glued to the screen for a longer time. Continuous screen viewing decreases the frequency of blinking, which increases issues like dry eye syndrome, myopia (weak eyesight), headaches, and sleep problems.
By 2050, Half of the World’s Population May Suffer from Myopia
According to experts, eyesight typically stabilized by the age of 21 in the past. However, due to increased screen time, eye power continues to change until around 30 years of age. This has led to rising cases of digital eye strain, strabismus (crossed eyes), and vision weakness among students and professionals.
Why Is Blinking Important?
Blinking helps maintain the moisture of the eyes. Usually, we blink 15-20 times per minute, but when focusing on a screen, this decreases to 5-7 times per minute. As a result, the eyes start to dry out, leading to irritation, blurriness, and fatigue.
How to Protect Your Eyes?
- Follow the 20-20-20 Rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Reduce Screen Time: Take a digital break of 1-2 hours throughout the day.
- Turn On Blue Light Filter: Enable night mode or blue light filters on your mobile and laptop.
- Blink Frequently: Make it a habit to blink while looking at the screen.
- Use Eye Drops: Use eye drops to maintain eye moisture, as advised by a doctor.
If you are also fond of watching reels for hours, be cautious. Continuous screen time can severely damage your eye health. It’s better to take a digital detox and follow these tips to keep your eyesight safe.
