Can Just an Hour of Scrolling Reels Lead to Eye Strain? Study Provides Insights - Video

A recent study published in the Journal of Eye Movement Research has revealed that just one hour of scrolling through social media reels on smartphones can lead to significant eye fatigue. Conducted by researchers from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, the study highlights that not only the duration but also the type of digital content consumed plays a critical role in triggering digital eye strain.

Digital eye strain has become increasingly common in the age of smartphones, with blue light exposure from screens linked to sleep disruption and visual discomfort. The research team developed a portable, low-cost system to measure the impact of smartphone usage on visual fatigue among young Indian adults. The system recorded key visual activity parameters such as blink rate, inter-blink interval, and pupil diameter during an hour-long session of smartphone use involving e-book reading, video watching, and scrolling through short-form social media content like reels.

“Social media content causes greater pupil fluctuations than reading or watching a video,” the researchers noted. They added that “prolonged smartphone use, exceeding 20 minutes at a time, can lead to physical and mental health issues, including psychophysiological disorders.” According to the findings, social media reels, which feature rapid screen brightness and intensity changes, reduce blink rate and increase inter-blink intervals and pupil dilation, making them especially likely to cause eye fatigue.

The effects were not limited to eye discomfort. About 60% of participants reported symptoms such as neck pain, hand fatigue, and moderate to severe eyestrain. Even more strikingly, 83% of the participants indicated experiencing psychophysiological disorders like anxiety, disturbed sleep, and mental exhaustion after prolonged screen use.

To mitigate these effects, 40% of users said they adopted screen hygiene practices such as using blue light filters or enabling dark mode. The study underscores the need for awareness around responsible smartphone usage, particularly with the increasing popularity of short-form video content that may accelerate visual fatigue.

Reference: Dandumahanti, B. P., Chittoor, P. K., & Subramaniyam, M. (2025). Digital Eye Strain Monitoring for One-Hour Smartphone Engagement Through Eye Activity Measurement System. Journal of Eye Movement Research, 18(4), 34.