Endless scrolling through Instagram Reels, TikTok videos, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook clips has become second nature to millions. What appears to be harmless entertainment, however, is fuelling a serious health crisis.

Doctors warn of ‘reel-induced eye damage’, a growing issue linked to excessive screen time, particularly among children and young adults. Increased short-video consumption has led to a surge in digital eye strain, chronic headaches, dry eyes, blurred vision, and sleep disturbances. Experts caution that prolonged blue light exposure from screens can result in long-term vision problems, cognitive fatigue, and mental health issues.

Ophthalmologists report a sharp rise in eye fatigue, irritation, and early-onset myopia among schoolchildren, teenagers, and working professionals. “We’re seeing more patients struggling with eye strain and discomfort due to prolonged screen use,” says Dr. Rajiv Mehta, an eye specialist. Constant focus on fast-moving screens overworks eye muscles, leading to Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)—marked by redness, dryness, and discomfort.

Adults aren’t spared either. Excessive screen time, particularly in dim lighting, triggers migraines, disrupts sleep cycles, and causes cognitive exhaustion. Studies confirm that blue light exposure suppresses melatonin production, disrupting sleep patterns and leading to insomnia. This vicious cycle of late-night scrolling and poor sleep leaves users fatigued yet unable to break free from their screens.

Why are short videos more addictive?

Unlike long-form content, short videos are engineered for addiction. Each 15-60 second clip delivers a dopamine rush, much like a slot machine. The autoplay feature keeps users trapped in an endless loop, while algorithms personalise content, making every swipe feel rewarding.

Fast cuts, bright visuals, loud music, and viral trends overload the senses, rewiring the brain to crave instant stimulation. Studies, including one by Microsoft, indicate that human attention spans have shrunk to just 8 seconds, making slower content feel unappealing. Even former tech executives have admitted that these platforms exploit psychological triggers to maximise user engagement.

Mindless scrolling quickly becomes a habit that’s hard to break. What starts as ‘just one video’ often turns into hours of lost time. As screen-related health concerns rise, experts say that the need for digital discipline, setting screen-time limits, using blue-light filters, and taking regular breaks.

Without intervention, the price of endless scrolling won’t just be wasted hours, it could mean weakened vision, declining mental health, and a fractured attention span.