The Hidden Price of Competitive Gaming

Are Esports Athletes’ Eyes at Risk?

At first glance, esports seems simple. Just a screen, a keyboard, and lightning-fast reflexes. But behind that glowing monitor, many professional gamers face a challenge that does not get enough attention: eye health.

Spending hours in front of a screen does more than cause fatigue. It can lead to Computer Vision Syndrome, which is closely linked to Dry Eye Disease. The two often go hand in hand. Too much screen time dries out your eyes, and dry eyes make you more sensitive to screens. It becomes a cycle that can quietly drain your focus and, over time, your performance.

What the Science Is Saying

Here is the surprising part. Studies from the Taiwan Journal of Ophthalmology and the National Institutes of Health found that more than half of professional gamers experience dry eyes and digital eye strain.

The signs are hard to miss:

• Dry, itchy, or red eyes
• Blurred vision or trouble refocusing
• Headaches and pain in the neck or shoulders
• Sensitivity to light

Why does this happen? The main culprit is blinking, or rather, not blinking enough. Normally, we blink 15 to 20 times per minute. When we are deeply focused on gaming, that number can drop to just 4 to 6. Fewer blinks mean less moisture, and blue light combined with air conditioning only makes it worse. If ignored, it can lead to more than just sore eyes.

Success in esports is not only about reflexes and strategy. It is also about taking care of the one thing you cannot play without: your eyes. A few simple habits can make a big difference:

• Practice the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds
• Use lubricating eye drops when dryness appears
• Set up your space with proper lighting and blue light protection
• Stay hydrated and take regular breaks
• Visit your eye doctor at least once a year. They can prescribe eye drops if needed to relieve persistent

At the end of the day, the hidden cost of competitive gaming is not only the hours of practice or the pressure to win, but also the strain it puts on your eyes. Esports athletes truly are at risk, but with proper care, that risk can be managed. Protecting your vision means protecting your game, helping you perform better not only in competition but also in everyday life.

REFERENCE

• Floros, G. D., Glynatsis, M. N., & Mylona, I. (2024). No End in Sight: Assessing the Impact of Internet Gaming Disorder on Digital Eye Strain Symptoms and Academic Success. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 14(3), 531–539.
  https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14030035
• Shen, Y., & Cicchella, A. (2023). Health Consequences of Intensive E-Gaming: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), Article 1968. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031968
• Santoso, W. D., Anwar, M. H., Nasrulloh, A., & Arianto, A. C. (2022). Study of Esports in Sports Epistemology Perspective. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Analysis, 5(10), 2812–2818. https://doi.org/10.47191/ijmra/v5-i10-32
• Chaiwiang, N., & Koo-akarakul, J. (2024). Digital Challenges: Investigating Computer Vision Syndrome in Thai Esports Through a Case-Control Approach. Clinical Optometry, 16, 201–210. https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTO.S460868