Experts warn of global myopia crisis, link digital eye strain to overall health

Leading medical experts have warned of an impending myopia crisis, cautioning that nearly half of the world’s population could develop near-sightedness in the coming years. Speaking at the Illness to Wellness Summit, organised by the ASSOCHAM Foundation for CSR, health specialists highlighted the impact of excessive screen time on eye health, particularly among children, and stressed the deeper connections between vision problems and overall well-being.

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“With nearly 50 per cent of the global population expected to develop myopia, we are facing an explosive crisis,” said Dr AK Grover, chairman of Vision Eye Centres and senior consultant at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. He pointed out that digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome was emerging as a major health concern. “Excessive screen time reduces blinking, leading to dryness, burning and eye fatigue. Constant near-focus activities also weaken our ability to shift between distances and poor posture only adds to the discomfort. Together, these factors create a growing problem in our screen-dominated world,” he said.

The situation is particularly concerning among children, who have seen a sharp rise in myopia cases in recent years. “During the Covid-19 pandemic, children’s screen time increased dramatically due to online learning, while outdoor activities were nearly eliminated,” said Dr Anuj Mehta, professor and head of ophthalmology at VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital. “When children focus on screens for long hours, their eye muscles remain contracted. This prolonged strain is now contributing to a surge in myopia cases, particularly in young, developing eyes,” he added.

Experts also highlighted the shift in myopia progression among young adults. “Earlier, it was believed that refractive power stabilised by the age of 18 or 19, but today, due to excessive screen exposure, we see progression well into the late twenties,” said Dr (Brig) Vijay Mathur, consultant at Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals. “Young professionals and students spend up to 14 hours a day in front of screens, leading to headaches, fatigue, double vision and blurred sight. Even minor refractive errors that were once insignificant are now becoming serious concerns.”

Beyond digital strain, specialists emphasised that eye health was deeply linked to the body’s overall well-being. “The body functions as a connected system — eye health is closely tied to the liver, heart and kidneys,” said Dr Kirti Singh, director professor at Guru Nanak Eye Centre, Maulana Azad Medical College. She stressed the importance of regular health check-ups for children, including routine blood pressure screenings. “There is a myth that the heart alone regulates blood pressure, but in reality, kidney health plays a crucial role. Detecting issues early can prevent long-term complications,” she said.

The discussion also touched on broader health concerns, with doctors warning that inflammation, particularly starting in the gut, was the root cause of several ailments.