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Eye doctors have sounded the alarm, predicting that as many as one-third of all children in urban India aged 5-15 years could suffer from myopia by 2030. This startling forecast comes as a consequence of increased sedentary lifestyles and prolonged screen usage among the younger population.
Myopia, colloquially known as near-sightedness, renders distant objects blurry while close-range vision remains clear. Once a relatively manageable condition, it has now emerged as a significant public health concern globally, with experts projecting that by 2050, one in every two individuals could be myopic.
During the ongoing Myopia Awareness Week, experts emphasized the escalating prevalence among Indian urban children. Studies spanning two decades from 1999 to 2019 revealed a tripling of myopia incidence from 4.44 percent to 21.15 percent, respectively.
Smit M Bavariya, a Cataract Surgeon at Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital, Thane, Mumbai, painted a dire picture of the future: “Our predictions indicate that the prevalence of myopia among urban children will surge to 31.89 percent by 2030, 40 percent by 2040, and a staggering 48.1 percent by 2050.” He warned that within 25 years, half of India’s children could be afflicted, up from the current one in four.
Mahipal Singh Sachdev, Chairman and Managing Director of the Center for Sight, New Delhi, corroborated this trend, stating, “Myopia is indeed becoming more common in India, particularly among the urban populace.”
The symptoms of myopia, including blurry vision, eye strain, and headaches, are exacerbated by sedentary lifestyles and excessive screen time, especially among children. “Excessive screen time stimulates the eyes, retina, and brain, accelerating myopic changes due to rapid eyeball growth,” Smit explained. Mahipal emphasized the detrimental effects of reduced exposure to natural light due to indoor confinement.
The experts attributed lifestyle changes stemming from urbanization, such as increased near-work activities and demanding academic contexts, as significant contributors to the myopia surge. Mahipal highlighted genetic predispositions as a factor, suggesting that urban populations might have a higher prevalence of genetic risk factors linked to myopia.
To combat this looming health crisis, the experts called for robust public health initiatives, educational campaigns, lifestyle adjustments, and improved access to eye care services. “Recognizing the symptoms of myopia in children is crucial for early intervention,” Smit emphasized, advocating for regular eye check-ups and promoting outdoor activities to mitigate the risk.
As the prevalence of myopia continues its upward trajectory, urgent action is imperative to safeguard the vision and well-being of India’s urban youth.
