23/10/2025

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THURSDAY | OCT 23, 2025

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Malaysian Paper

/thesundaily /

COMMENT by Dr Nur Hidayah Mustapa, Dr Wong Li Ping and Dr Lim Yin Cheng

Silent strain on teen vision W ORLD Sight Day is observed annually on Oct 9, with this year’s theme being “Love Your Eyes”. gaming as an escape, reinforcing the cycle of dependence.

“In today’s digital world, screens dominate nearly every aspect of life – in learning, leisure and social interaction. 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 sleep, academic performance and health.

When eyes begin to tire 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, a condition now affecting more than half of school-aged children. The symptoms include: 0 Dry, itchy or watery eyes 0 Blurred vision and headaches 0 Neck and back pain from poor posture For teenagers, whose eyes are still developing, the effects can be even more serious. They are at increased risk of rapid myopia (short-sightedness), eye misalignment and coordination problems. Whole-body impact Excessive gaming and prolonged screen exposure affect not only visual health but also 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”, which can delay essential intervention. Wake-up call The theme “Love Your Eyes ” encourages everyone to prioritise vision care. Loving our eyes today means practising digital hygiene and responsible screen

Health professionals worldwide highlight the importance of eye care and preventing avoidable blindness. While much of the discussion centre on cataracts, refractive errors and vision screening access, an emerging concern is quietly transforming our visual perception, which is the increase in excessive screen use and internet gaming disorder (IGD) among adolescents. In today’s digital world, screens dominate nearly every aspect of life – in learning, leisure and social interaction. 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 sleep, academic performance and health. IGD has emerged as a growing global health concern in the digital era. Recognised by the World Health Organisation 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. Behind every statistic lies a web of risk factors: unsupportive parenting, peer pressure, social isolation and immersive design of modern games. IGD rarely occurs in isolation; it often co-exists with other addictive behaviours, including gambling and substance use, as well as links to anxiety, depression and poor academic performance. Adolescents who experience bullying, loneliness or stress may turn to

Excessive gaming and prolonged screen exposure affect not only visual health but also overall physical and psychological well-being. – BERNAMAPIC

its perception. Gaming is not inherently harmful; it becomes problematic only when moderation and balance are lost. Encouraging teenagers to engage in gaming responsibly, alongside physical and social activities, helps them maintain mental and visual well-being. Seeing the future clearly This year’s World Sight Day 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 us 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 is a doctor of public health, Dr Wong Li Ping is a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics and Dr Lim Yin Cheng is a senior lecturer of occupational and public health at the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

use every day. Experts recommend simple but effective strategies to reduce strain: 0 Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. 0 Blink often to keep eyes moist and refreshed. 0 Use lubricating eye drops when needed. 0 Adjust your workstation ergonomics: Keep screens at arm’s length and slightly below eye level. 0 Take regular breaks and limit screen use before bedtime. Technological innovations such as blue-light filters, anti-reflective coatings and high-resolution displays also help reduce visual fatigue. But these should complement and not replace healthy habits. Seeing beyond the screen Protecting adolescent eye health requires a collective community-wide effort. Schools can integrate digital well-being into health education while parents can set limits on gaming time and encourage outdoor activities. Simple lifestyle habits, such as regular breaks, balanced sleep schedules and screen-free mealtimes, can make a major difference. At the same time, society must shift

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