AOA releases mobile game to educate gamers about eye health

Article

The American Optometric Association (AOA) released a mobile board game, Blink Land, which aims to teach users healthier eye care practices.

Blink Land provides gamers with the opportunity to adopt healthy eye habits by sharing tangible actions players can take to protect their eyes.

(Adobe.Stock/MixandMatchStudios)

On June 15, 2023, the American Optometric Association (AOA) released a mobile board game, Blink Land, to teach its players about eye health in relation to screen time. Eye Deserve More, AOA’s public awareness campaign, launched this game as a way to demonstrate how gaming and eye health can go together.1

Many gamers know that screen time has detrimental effects on their vision, but despite this, many gamers do not visit a health care professional for an eye exam every year. Research has shown that prolonged screen time, something gamers are frequently exposed to, often result in eye strain, headaches, dry eyes, and blurred vision. These negative side effects are due to a decreased blink rate while viewing screens.

Blink Land provides gamers with the opportunity to adopt healthy eye habits by sharing tangible actions players can take to protect their eyes. By following the hero character “Blink,” players learn how to maintain eye health by using the 20-20-20 rule, blinking frequently, and setting up screens properly. Blink Land will also educate players on how screen time and eye health are related through facts, trivia, and minigames.

“As someone who has experienced the impact long hours on screens has on my eyes, I felt passionate about developing Blink Land, which incorporates eye health into every aspect of the game” said Elaine Gómez-Sanchez, game designer and developer of Blink Land, in a press release. “With the popularity of gaming on the rise, we should all ensure we are taking proper care of our eye health so we can continue doing all that we love on screens for years to come.”

Blink Land is visible on both Apple and Android devices.

References
  1. The American Optometric Association launches first ever eye-friendly mobile board game, Blink Land. News release. June 15, 2023. Accessed June 16, 2023. https://www.aoa.org/about-the-aoa/press-room/press-releases/the-american-optometric-association-launches-first-ever-eye-friendly-mobile-board-game-blink-land?sso=y
Recent Videos
Danica Marrelli, OD, FAAO, at Glaucoma 360 discussing visual field testing for patients with glaucoma
Walline, OD, PhD, FAAO, states that the best way to learn the benefits of artificial intelligence for your practice is to stay on top of continuing education attendance.
Jeffrey Walline, OD, PhD, FAAO, gives an overview of the AAO's 2024 and what to expect in 2025 and beyond.
Dr Jamie Kuzniar discusses higher order aberrations and premium scleral lenses
Abby Gillogly Harsch, OD, FAAO, FSLS, shares a specific complex case of scleral lens fitting that she presented on at this year's GSLS.
Sherrol Reynolds, OD, FAAO, values the ophthalmic-optometric collaboration on display at the summit, running from February 14-17, 2025 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Katie Rachon, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, shares her excitement for the upcoming conference and what it means for an optometrist's toolbox.
EnVision Summit Cochair Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, says that attendees should get ready for more discussion-based panels at this year's conference.
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.