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, emphasizing early detection and preventive measures amid rising concerns over myopia among children.
Myopia as a Public Health Challenge
Experts warn that myopia is emerging as a major public health challenge, driven by lifestyle changes such as excessive screen exposure, reduced outdoor activity, and prolonged near work from academic pressure and digital learning. Recent estimates suggest nearly half of the world's population could be affected by myopia by 2050. In India, prevalence among school-going children has risen sharply, with urban studies showing nearly 14% and rural areas increasing from 4.6% to 6.8% over the past decade.
School Screenings Highlight Scale
Findings from school eye screenings conducted by a private pharma company across 13 cities in 12 states, involving over 100,000 children, revealed that around 13.6% were affected by myopia, while 27% had abnormal vision requiring medical attention. Dr. Jeewan Singh Titiyal, president of AIOS, stated: "Childhood myopia is no longer just about children needing spectacles earlier; it is becoming a serious long-term eye health concern. High myopia can permanently alter the eye structure and increase the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataract, and irreversible vision loss later in life."
Preventive Recommendations
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 daily. AIOS also reiterates the "20-20-20 rule": a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at an object 20 feet away to reduce eye strain.
Dr. Namrata Sharma, chairman of the scientific committee at AIOS, said: "The prevention and management of childhood myopia require a shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention."
Clinical Interventions
The guidelines outline clinical interventions such as atropine eye drops, specialized myopia-control spectacles, orthokeratology, and soft multifocal contact lenses, but caution that these should only be used under professional supervision. Dr. Rohit Saxena, senior pediatric ophthalmologist at Dr. RP Centre, AIIMS New Delhi, and program director for the guidelines, added: "Equally important is ensuring that adequate sleep, nutrition, and physical activity are not compromised."
