New guidelines are being put in place to combat the increasing rates of childhood myopia both in India and worldwide. The All India Ophthalmological Society is recommending annual eye exams, vision screenings in schools, and at least two hours of outdoor activity each day for children.
These guidelines, concerning the “Prevention and Management of Childhood Myopia,” also support the widespread use of the 20-20-20 rule. This rule advises children to take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to focus on an object 20 feet away, with the aim of reducing eye strain. They were released during World Myopia Week 2026, observed recently from May 18 to 24. As per information available with TahirRihat.com, the guidelines were developed by leading pediatric ophthalmologists in India and were supported by Sun Pharma.
This initiative arrives amidst rising concerns about childhood myopia. Also known as nearsightedness, the condition causes distant objects to appear blurry while close objects remain clear. It is increasingly seen as a significant public health issue. Recent projections suggest that nearly half the global population could be affected by myopia by 2050. Myopia prevalence has sharply increased among school children in India. Urban studies show a prevalence nearing 14%, while rural regions have seen a rise from 4.6% to 6.8% in the last decade.
School screenings conducted by Sun Pharma across 13 cities and 12 states, involving over one lakh children, further emphasized the problem. These screenings revealed that approximately 13.6% of the children screened were affected by myopia, and 27% had abnormal vision requiring attention. Dr. Jeewan Singh Titiyal, President of the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) and former chief of RP Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS, Delhi, stated that childhood myopia is more than just children needing glasses earlier. It’s becoming a serious, long-term eye health concern. (Dr. Titiyal said, “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.”)
Many children might not report blurred vision simply because they don’t realize what normal vision feels like. He highlights the importance of parents, teachers, and caregivers being observant of behavioral signs and prioritizing regular eye examinations to ensure timely intervention. Experts attribute the increase in childhood myopia to lifestyle changes that have accelerated over recent years. These include more screen time, increasing academic pressure, less time spent outdoors, and extended periods of near work.
The shift towards digital learning has further contributed to children spending four to six hours or more on screens daily, often without proper visual hygiene practices. Dr. Namrata Sharma, AIOS Chairman-Scientific Committee and a professor at RP Centre, AIIMS, Delhi, emphasized the need to shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention in managing childhood myopia. (Dr. Sharma said, “Our consensus guidelines provide a structured roadmap for ophthalmologists and stakeholders to implement evidence-based interventions, improve awareness, and encourage timely diagnosis. While anti-myopia therapies may slow progression, prevention through lifestyle modification remains the most powerful strategy.”)
The guidelines also provide insight into current therapies for myopia control. These include atropine eye drops, specialized myopia control spectacles, orthokeratology, and soft multifocal contact lenses. However, experts caution that these interventions may only slow the progression of myopia but not stop it. They should only be undertaken under professional ophthalmic supervision.
Dr. Rohit Saxena of AIIMS Delhi commented on the collaborative effort needed to combat childhood myopia. (Dr. Saxena stated that, “Combating childhood myopia requires a collective effort involving families, schools, healthcare systems and policymakers. School environments must encourage outdoor exposure and healthier visual habits, while parents need to monitor screen dependency and ensure balanced lifestyles.”) He also emphasized the importance of adequate sleep, nutrition, and physical activity. Early diagnosis and timely management can significantly improve outcomes and help protect children from avoidable visual impairment and future complications.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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