Half of Population May Develop Near-Sightedness Due to Digital Eye Strain, Warn Experts at ASSOCHAM’s ‘Illness To Wellness’ Summit

Mumbai: On the second day of the third ‘Illness to Wellness’ Summit, organized by the ASSOCHAM Foundation for CSR under the aegis of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), leading medical professionals raised serious concerns over the rising prevalence of myopia and digital eye strain in the modern screen-dominated lifestyle.

Speaking at the event, Padma Shri awardee Dr. A.K. Grover, Chairman of Vision Eye Centres and Senior Consultant at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, highlighted a looming myopia epidemic. “Nearly 50 percent of the population is projected to develop near-sightedness, primarily due to prolonged screen exposure and poor visual habits,” he said. Dr. Grover outlined three core issues defining digital eye strain—reduced blinking causing dryness and fatigue, focus-shifting difficulties, and poor posture leading to neck and head strain.

Echoing these concerns, Dr. Anuj Mehta, Professor and HOD of Ophthalmology at VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, emphasized the impact of increased screen time on children's eye health, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. “With outdoor activities sidelined and extended online learning becoming the norm, children’s eyes have suffered significantly. The constant contraction of eye muscles while focusing on screens contributes to the early onset and progression of myopia,” he explained.

Dr. (Brig) Vijay Mathur, Consultant at Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals, pointed to a dramatic rise in refractive errors among youth and millennials who spend 10 to 14 hours daily on digital devices. He noted that even minor visual impairments, previously inconsequential, now pose substantial challenges. “We are also observing a delayed stabilization of refractive power, continuing beyond the age of 20, unlike earlier norms,” Dr. Mathur added.

Dr. Kirti Singh, Director Professor at Guru Nanak Eye Centre, Maulana Azad Medical College, emphasized the compounding effects of environmental conditions like poor ventilation and exposure to air conditioning or smoke. These, she said, exacerbate the dry-eye issues resulting from decreased blinking. She also highlighted the interconnectedness of eye health with systemic health, including liver, kidney, and heart functions.

While acknowledging that digital screens are an unavoidable part of modern life, especially for children, experts advocated for practical solutions to reduce eye strain. They recommended following the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away—and encouraged at least two hours of outdoor activity daily to maintain visual balance and prevent myopia progression.

ASSOCHAM National CSR Council Chairperson Mr. Anil Rajput expressed appreciation for the participating medical experts and lauded the involvement of children in the campaign. A school-level drawing competition saw participation from 12,000 students, focusing on the health effects of air pollution and the importance of hygiene, reflecting youth engagement in public health awareness.

The summit also addressed pediatric kidney health. Padma Shri Dr. Sanjeev Bagai stressed the need for routine blood pressure checks in children as a measure to detect underlying kidney issues early. Dr. D. Bhowmik, Head of Nephrology at AIIMS, further explained that kidneys, through renin secretion, play a central role in regulating blood pressure—challenging the popular belief that the heart alone controls it.

The summit concluded with a collective call for increased awareness, early interventions, and community participation to combat rising health issues in today’s digitally-driven environment.