With rise in screen time among children in last five years, the Juvenile myopia is becoming a pandemic in India. About 20 to 25 in 100 children suffer from myopia or nearsightedness. This is a very dangerous situation. In some cases children are either losing eyesight completely or partly. The warning comes from none other than internationally acclaimed Ophthalmologist Padma Shri Dr Mahipal Singh Sachdev. Chairman and Managing Director and Promoter of Centre For Sight, Dr Sachdev was in city for the expansion of the project, Centre for Sight. “Children suffering from myopia approach ophthalmologists when they face problems and get specs. Today, we find a lot of children around us wearing specs. But many are still unaware about Juvenile myopia. Such children are at risk. Lack of awareness is a leading cause of several problems in the cases related to eye care,” pointed out Dr Sachdev. Associated with All India Institute of Medical Sciences in the past, Dr Sachdev believes that efficient and equitable eye care should be accessible to all. With this aim, the NDCFS Foundation was founded in the year 2017. The Foundation aims to give sustainable model of high-quality, patient-centric healthcare.

 

The former President of All India Ophthalmological Society, said, “Unfortunately, eye is the most neglected organ. People don’t approach ophthalmologist unless they suffer from a major problem realted to eye care. In last five years. especially during coronavirus pandemic, a major population shifted to on-line mode of working. The trend of on-line education has increased screen time of children as they tend to hold the gadget for longer durations. Using mobile phones and spending time operating computers have become an integral part of majority of the population, though the necessity is less. Judicious use of screen helps avoid myopia at early stage of life.”

 

Dr Sachdev explained, “If one observes one would find, playgrounds wearing a deserted look. Except a few, most children do not devote time to the outdoor games. This is very dangerous. When our screen time increases, our eye blinks less, resulting in dry-eye syndrome. The quality of eye lubrication goes down.” According to Dr Sachdev, the per centage of myopia in children is about 80% in countries like USA, UK, China. As compared to per centage of children suffering from myopia in foreign countries, the cases are less in india. But, the number is rising, which is a cause of concern. Increasing screen time causes damage to eyes of children as their eyes are not fully developed. The studies published in scientific journals revealed strong relationship between screen time and juvenile myopia. Dr Sachdev suggested, “Children’s must increase outdoor activitiesand consume green leafy vegetables, and increase intake of Vitamin A, Vitamin D. They should spend more time in sunlight. The problem of nearsightedness in children be taken seriously.”