EVERY year on World Sight Day (Oct 9), health professionals worldwide highlight the importance of eye care and preventing avoidable blindness.
While much of the discussion centres on cataracts, refractive errors and access to vision screening, an emerging concern is the increase in excessive screen use and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) among adolescents.
For many teenagers, gaming offers a sense of excitement, connection and accomplishment. But for some, what starts as fun becomes a compulsive habit that disrupts their sleep, academic performance and health.
Recognised by both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the American Psychiatric Association, IGD is defined as a behavioural addiction marked by loss of control over gaming, prioritising it over other daily activities, and continuing to play despite experiencing negative consequences.
Globally, an estimated 3% of Internet users meet the criteria for IGD – with significantly higher rates reported among adolescents in Asia.
In Malaysia, local studies suggest that around 3% to 4% of adolescents experience symptoms consistent with IGD, a figure that is expected to rise as the number of young online gamers continues to grow.
IGD often co-exists with other addictive behaviours, including gambling and substance use. It is also linked to anxiety, depression and poor academic performance.
Adolescents who experience bullying, loneliness or stress may turn to gaming as an escape, reinforcing the cycle of dependence.
The human eye was never designed for prolonged exposure to artificial light or rapidly moving digital images.
Prolonged screen time or gaming sessions can lead to Digital Eye Strain (DES), a condition now affecting more than half of school-aged children worldwide.
Symptoms include sore, tired, burning or itchy eyes; blurred or double vision; and increased sensitivity to light.
Teenagers whose eyes are still developing are at increased risk for rapid myopia (short-sightedness), eye misalignment and coordination problems.
The theme for World Sight Day 2025, “#Love Your Eyes”, encourages everyone to prioritise vision care by practising digital hygiene and responsible screen use every day.
Experts recommend the following simple but effective strategies to reduce eye strain:
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20ft away for 20 seconds;
- Blink often to keep eyes moist and refreshed;
- Use lubricating eye drops when needed;
- Adjust your workstation ergonomics. Keep screens an arm’s length away and slightly below eye level; and
- Take regular breaks and limit screen use before bedtime.
Technological innovations such as blue-light filters, anti-reflective coatings and high-resolution displays help reduce visual fatigue. But these should complement, not replace, healthy habits.
Protecting adolescent eye health requires a community-wide effort. Schools can integrate digital well-being into health education while parents can set limits on gaming time and encourage outdoor activities.
Gaming is not inherently harmful; it becomes problematic only when moderation and balance are lost.
Encouraging teens to engage in gaming responsibly alongside physical and social activities will help them maintain both mental and visual well-being.
The message is straightforward: safeguarding our eyesight involves more than just wearing glasses or seeking medical treatment. It also requires adapting to a world dominated by screens.
Our eyes are the first to indicate when our digital habits have become excessive, but their warnings are often overlooked.
Let’s genuinely “love our eyes” by blinking more, gazing into the distance and using screens wisely.
After all, in the game of life, having a clear vision is the most valuable achievement.
Dr Nur Hidayah Mustapa
DrPH candidate
Prof Dr Wong Li Ping
Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and
Dr Lim Yin Cheng
Senior lecturer of Occupational
and Public Health
Faculty of Medicine
Universiti Malaya
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