New Delhi: Amid growing concerns over the rising incidence of myopia among children, the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) has released a national consensus guideline on the Prevention and Management of Childhood Myopia during World Myopia Week 2026, stressing the need for early detection and preventive measures.Experts warned that myopia is fast emerging as a major public health challenge, driven largely by lifestyle changes such as excessive screen exposure, reduced outdoor activity and prolonged near work associated with academic pressure and digital learning habits.Recent estimates suggest that nearly half of the world’s population could be affected by myopia by 2050. In India, the prevalence among school-going children has risen sharply over the years. Urban studies indicate a prevalence of nearly 14%, while rural areas have seen an increase from 4.6% to 6.8% over the past decade.Findings from school eye screenings conducted by a private pharma company, which is supporting the initiative, across 13 cities in 12 states involving more than one lakh children, further underscore the scale of the problem. The screenings revealed that around 13.6% of children were affected by myopia, while 27% had abnormal vision requiring medical attention.“Childhood myopia is no longer just about children needing spectacles earlier in life; it is increasingly becoming a serious long-term eye health concern. High myopia can permanently alter the structure of the eye and significantly increase the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataract and irreversible vision loss later in life,” said Dr Jeewan Singh Titiyal, president of AIOS.The guidelines recommend annual eye examinations, regular school vision screenings, reduced recreational screen time, proper lighting during study and encouraging children to spend at least two hours outdoors every day. AIOS has also reiterated the “20-20-20 rule”, advising children to take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and look at an object 20 feet away to reduce eye strain.“The prevention and management of childhood myopia require a shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention,” said Dr Namrata Sharma, chairman of the scientific committee at AIOS.The guidelines also outline clinical interventions such as atropine eye drops, specialised myopia-control spectacles, orthokeratology and soft multifocal contact lenses, while cautioning that these treatments should be used only under professional supervision.“Equally important is ensuring that adequate sleep, nutrition and physical activity are not compromised,” said Dr Rohit Saxena, senior paediatric ophthalmologist at Dr RP Centre, AIIMS New Delhi, and programme director for the myopia guidelines.
