Corneal Blindness Rapidly Rising Among India’s Youth: Experts
New Delhi: Health experts are raising alarm over a growing health crisis: corneal blindness, once thought to primarily affect the elderly, is now increasingly impacting teenagers and young adults across India.
Corneal blindness happens when the cornea — the clear front part of the eye — becomes cloudy or scarred. This can occur due to infections, injuries, or even nutritional deficiencies, and while it's a serious condition, it's also often preventable.
According to the Indian Society of Cornea and Kerato-Refractive Surgeons (ISCKRS), India sees between 20,000 and 25,000 new cases of corneal blindness each year, and the number is rising steadily.
“More and more cases are now being seen in people under 30,” said Prof. Rajesh Sinha, Professor of Ophthalmology at AIIMS, New Delhi. “We are witnessing a worrying shift where young individuals are losing vision due to conditions that could have been prevented with timely care.”
One of the major causes of corneal damage in young people is trauma-related injuries, especially among those working in agriculture, construction, or factory settings. These injuries are often ignored or treated with home remedies, leading to infections and permanent scarring of the eye.
Vitamin A deficiency is another significant contributor, particularly among children and adolescents in rural areas. Lack of awareness, delayed diagnosis, and poor access to eye care in underserved regions are making the situation worse.
“It’s unacceptable that in 2025 we are still seeing young people go blind from preventable causes,” said Dr. Ikeda Lal, Senior Consultant in Cornea and Cataract Surgery at a major Delhi hospital. She called for a national strategy, emphasising early detection, school-based screenings, and public education about eye health.
Dr. Lal also recommended expanding tele-ophthalmology services and launching mobile eye-care clinics to serve rural areas where eye specialists are scarce.
Even minor symptoms like redness, irritation, or blurry vision should not be ignored, experts warned. Early treatment can often prevent long-term damage.
The growing trend of corneal blindness among young people is now being viewed as a public health emergency, and experts are urging immediate action to prevent a generation from needlessly losing their sight.
Kanchan Chaurasiya joined Medical Dialogues in 2025 as a Media and Marketing Intern. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Arts from Delhi University and has completed certifications in digital marketing. She has a strong interest in health news, content creation, hospital updates, and emerging trends. At Medical Dialogues, Kanchan manages social media and also creates web stories to enhance mobile content reach and audience engagement.