With nearly 50 per cent of the population projected to develop near-sightedness or myopia due to prolonged digital device usage, doctors highlighted the need for preventive measures to combat ‘digital eye strain’ — particularly among children.

Myopia is a visual condition wherein an individual can see nearby objects clearly, while distant objects appear blurry.

Doctor Anuj Mehta, Head of Ophthalmology at Safdarjung Hospital, pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically increased children’s screen time, replacing outdoor activities with online learning.

“When children focus on screens for long periods, their eye muscles remain strained, leading to early onset of myopia,” he said while speaking at ASSOCHAM’s ‘Illness to Wellness’ summit on Saturday.

Echoing similar views, Doctor (Brig) Vijay Mathur from Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals said that young people now spend 10 to 14 hours a day on screens, accelerating refractive errors that once stabilised by adulthood.

“We’re seeing myopia progression extend into the late 20s and early 30s — a worrying trend,” he added.

The two-day health summit saw discussions around women’s health, chronic diseases among elders, mental health, screen usage and regular health check-ups.

The summit also explored how eye health connects to overall body function. Doctor Kirti Singh, director professor at Maulana Azad Medical College, emphasised that the eyes, liver, heart and kidneys function as an interconnected system.

“Eye strain doesn’t stop at dry eyes. Poor air circulation, excessive air conditioning and exposure to smoke, all part of ‘sick building syndrome,’ worsen the issue, affecting overall health,” she said.

During the summit, experts recommended the 20-20-20 rule to combat digital strain: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away.

They also urged parents to encourage at least two hours of outdoor activity daily to strengthen children’s long-distance vision.

Also read:

Experts seek implementation of NCDs control plan, better labelling of food targeting kids