TikTok defines as a social media platform for creating, sharing, and viewing short videos. As far as eye health, there are no reported cases of TikTok specifically harming vision or physically harming eyes by watching it. By some of TikTok’s content though, it has ruined some people’s eye health. The specific content that has threatened eye health lists as a set of challenges with no governing body over it to ensure people are not asked to do things that hurt the eyes. The digital age has created many devices that children as young as preschool use, and teenagers frequently use many electronic digital screen devices tied to the Internet. A trend on TikTok has been a set of internet challenges that included harmful activities to the eyes.
Internet Challenges
Mental health experts and medical organizations have put out alerts on TikTok challenges and made lists of which challenges cause harm, and made recommendations. In Ophthalmology and Therapy 2024, a list of harmful challenges to the eye was developed. From July 2023 to September 2023, searches on TikTok for ophthalmologic challenges involving the eyes and eye health were made. A few of the findings were:
Rubbing Castor Oil inside the eyes
Using castor oil within the eyes without medical supervision is considered dangerous. Over-the-counter castor oil has other substances in the oil that can irritate the eye. The video suggested rubbing it into the eyes.
Exploding Eggs Challenge
Hard-boiled eggs go into the microwave, taken out, and then cut into pieces so it intentionally bursts. It makes steam and egg shrapnel over a wide area, which can lead to eye trauma.
Orbeez Challenge
Taking paint guns that use gel pellets and shooting said pellets. The challenge has resulted in nineteen serious ocular injuries, and most patients were younger than 18 years old.
Bleaching Eye Challenge
Fill a bag with bleach, jelly, and shaving cream and place it on the eyes. The purpose was to make the eyes lighter in color. Bleach, an alkali near the eyes, can lead to an inflamed conjunctiva and damage the inside structure of the eye.
Fishing for Mucus from the Eye
Make an eye irritated using the finger or Qtip to pull mucus out of the eye.
The problem
With only a few examples of the challenges that involved the eye, one can see it would cause a visit to the Houston LASIK clinic, where the doctors would emphasize better eye health practices. No one is holding the individuals responsible for such content and getting compensation for injuries nearly impossible. Though adults may only view the challenge, teens often actually gather the materials and do the challenge. The cost would be bore the family for any injuries.
Digital Screen Time
A trend has developed in digital eye strain from sitting in front of a computer too long without a break. Since many children and teens use digital devices and adults have to work with digital devices, several hours of view time at screens is common. For some ocular and visual symptoms develop where the eyes begin to itch, feel dry, or give a sensation that a foreign object fell in. For others, vision blurs, headaches, fatigue, and a stiff neck. Ergonomics has become a more significant practice to reduce digital eye strain in the digital era. Intentionally blinking to bathe eyes in fluid, good lighting, removing glare, and taking regular breaks from the screen remain good practices to help reduce digital eye strain. TikTok alone does not cause the issue but the amount of time on all digital devices does. Tech companies that make products are well aware of the problem. Exploring high-resolution screens, antireflective coatings, and spectacle lens technologies helps alleviate the digital screen strain from an equipment standpoint.
Watching TikTok videos only for a reasonable amount of time is no problem for the eyes as long as you do not put dangerous videos into practice. For other issues with eye health, chat with doctors in Houston about laser eye surgery or general eye care.
Since 2005, Houston LASIK has been providing surgical vision correction technologies to patients from the Greater Houston Area and all over the world. The center specializes in multiple premium technologies including LASIK, EVO ICL (Intraocular Collamer Lens), ASA (Advanced Surface Ablation), and RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange). Houston LASIK & Eye is well known for using state-of-the-art technology and personalized care to help patients see their best. Patients receive customized surgical solutions from a team of highly experienced and award-winning ophthalmologists and optometrists. For more information, visit www.houston-lasik.com or call 281-240-0478.
Sources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10912387/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9434525/
- https://www.aoa.org/AOA/Documents/Healthy%20Eyes/Digital_eyestrain.pdf
