Gen Z lives on screens — and now, screens are starting to take a toll on them.
From binge-watching till 3 AM to marathon gaming sessions and endless scrolling through reels, today’s youth are spending record-breaking hours glued to phones, laptops, and tablets. But health experts warn that this lifestyle is quietly triggering serious eye problems and raising the risk of early-onset diabetes in young Indians.
Digital Eye Strain Is Now a Daily Health Crisis
Doctors say complaints pouring in from teenagers and young adults resemble those once seen only among IT professionals. Symptoms include:
●Dry, itchy, burning eyes
●Blurred or double vision
●Persistent headaches
●Trouble focusing on distant objects
●Sensitivity to light
“Today’s generation is spending more time looking at screens than at the world around them,” says Dr. Narendra BS, Lead Consultant – Endocrinology & Diabetology, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru.
Digital Eye Strain — earlier known as Computer Vision Syndrome — is now affecting school students, college-goers, gamers, streamers, and young creators at an alarming scale.
Screens Don’t Directly Cause Diabetes — But the Lifestyle Does
Experts widely agree: screens themselves don’t cause diabetes.
●But the screen lifestyle does.
●Gen Z’s routine today often includes:
●Hours of sitting with no physical activity
●Zero sunlight exposure
●Midnight binge-watching
●Skipping meals or eating junk while scrolling
●Sleep loss
●High stress levels
●Poor hydration
This combination directly increases insulin resistance, weight gain, inflammation, and hormonal imbalance — setting the stage for early diabetes, even in teens.
Sleep Loss: The Hidden Danger No One Talks About
Blue light from screens suppresses melatonin, the hormone that controls sleep.
Chronic sleep deprivation makes the body less sensitive to insulin, accelerating the risk of metabolic diseases. Many young people now sleep only 4–5 hours a night due to OTT habits, gaming, and late-night scrolling — a dangerous pattern for long-term health.
Doctors Push for an Urgent ‘Digital Reset’
To prevent long-term damage, experts recommend:
◆20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds
◆More outdoor time to relax eyes and improve metabolism
◆Screen-free meals
◆Avoid devices at least 1 hour before bed
◆Regular eye exams
◆Daily physical activity
◆Balanced meals, hydration, and proper sleep
With India already fighting a massive diabetes crisis, rising digital addiction among Gen Z could worsen the country’s health burden in the coming years.
Gen Z might be the most connected generation in history — but doctors warn that their health is paying a heavy price for constant connectivity.
