From Nur Hidayah Mustapa, Wong Li Ping and Lim Yin Cheng

Every year on World Sight Day (Oct 9), the theme “Love Your Eyes” reminds the world to protect one of our most vital senses. While most discussions focus on cataracts, refractive errors and access to screening, another threat is quietly reshaping how we see — the rise of excessive screen use and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) among adolescents.

The new digital addiction

In today’s digital world, screens dominate nearly every aspect of life: in learning, leisure, and social interaction. For many teens, gaming offers excitement, connection and achievement. But what starts as entertainment can evolve into a compulsive habit that disrupts sleep, studies and health.

Recognised by the World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association, IGD is a behavioural addiction marked by loss of control, prioritising gaming over daily life, and continuing despite harm. Globally, around 3% of internet users meet IGD criteria, with higher rates in Asia.

In Malaysia, local studies suggest that around 3% to 4% of adolescents show symptoms consistent with IGD. This figure is expected to rise as the number of young online gamers continues to grow.

Contributing factors include unsupportive parenting, peer pressure, social isolation, and the immersive design of modern games.

IGD rarely occurs in isolation. It often co-exists with gambling or substance use, and is linked to anxiety, depression, and poor academic performance. Teens facing bullying or stress may use gaming as an escape, reinforcing dependency.

When the eyes begin to tire

The human eye was not built for prolonged exposure to artificial light or rapidly moving digital images. Prolonged screentime or gaming sessions can trigger Digital Eye Strain (DES), which now affects more than half of school-aged children.

Symptoms include:

• dry, itchy, or watery eyes
• blurred vision and headaches
• neck and back pain from poor posture.

For developing eyes, the effects are more severe as it increases the risk of rapid myopia (short-sightedness), eye misalignment and coordination issues.

The body pays the price

Excessive gaming and prolonged screen exposure can also disrupt one’s overall physical and psychological well-being. Extended engagement with digital screens can disrupt circadian rhythms through blue light exposure, contributing to insomnia, daytime fatigue, and poor sleep quality.

Physical inactivity during gaming increases the risk of musculoskeletal discomfort, postural strain and weight gain. Psychologically, excessive gaming is linked to irritability, anxiety, social withdrawal and reduced concentration, forming a cycle of visual fatigue and cognitive decline that can ultimately impair academic performance.

Parents and teachers often notice early warning signs like tired eyes, irritability, late-night gaming, and decreased motivation. Sadly, these signs are often dismissed as “normal teenage behaviour”, delaying essential intervention.

 A wake-up call

The 2025 World Sight Day theme, “Love Your Eyes”, is a timely reminder to practise digital hygiene and responsible screen habits. Experts recommend:

•  The 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet 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.
• Take regular breaks and limit screen use before bedtime.

Technology like blue-light filters, anti-reflective coatings and high-resolution displays can reduce strain, but they should complement, not replace, healthy habits.

 Helping teens see beyond the screen

Protecting young eyes requires collective effort. Schools can teach digital well-being, while parents can set gaming limits and encourage outdoor play. Simple lifestyle steps, regular breaks, screen-free meals, consistent sleep — can make a big difference.

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, helps them maintain both mental and visual well-being.

Seeing the future clearly

The message is straightforward: safeguarding our eyesight involves more than just wearing glasses or seeking medical treatment; it requires adapting to a world dominated by screens.

Our eyes are the first to indicate when our digital habits 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.

Nur Hidayah Mustapa, a PhD candidate; Wong Li Ping, a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics; and Lim Yin Cheng, a senior lecturer in occupational and public health, are all affiliated with the department of social and preventive medicine at Universiti Malaya.

The views expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.