New Delhi: With nearly 50 percent of the population projected to develop near-sightedness or myopia due to prolonged digital device usage, doctors have highlighted the urgent 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.

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

Echoing similar views, Dr. (Brig) Vijay Mathur from Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals noted that young people now spend 10 to 14 hours a day on screens, accelerating refractive errors that once stabilized by adulthood. “We’re seeing myopia progression extend into the late 20s and early 30s—a worrying trend,” he added.

### About the Two-Day Health Summit

The two-day health summit featured discussions on various health topics, including women’s health, chronic diseases among elders, mental health, screen usage, and the importance of regular health check-ups. The summit also explored how eye health is connected to overall body function.

Dr. Kirti Singh, Director Professor at Maulana Azad Medical College, emphasized that the eyes, liver, heart, and kidneys function as an interconnected system. She explained, “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.”

### Expert Recommendations to Combat Digital Eye Strain

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

They also urged parents to encourage children to spend at least two hours outdoors daily to strengthen their long-distance vision.

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