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Rachel V Thomas

AIIMS Doctors Warn Childhood Myopia Rising In India: How The 20-20-20 Rule Can Help

Childhood <span>myopia</span> is emerging as a major public health concern in <span>India</span>, and is beyond the need for spectacles, said health experts from <span>All India Institute of Medical Sciences</span>, New Delhi.

Myopia or nearsightedness is a common vision condition where close-up objects appear clear, but distant objects look blurry.

Recent estimates suggest that by 2050, nearly half of the global population may be affected by myopia. In India, prevalence rates among school-going children have risen sharply over the years, with urban studies indicating nearly 14 per cent prevalence, while rural regions have witnessed a rise from 4.6 per cent to 6.8 per cent over the past decade.

“Childhood myopia is no longer just about children needing spectacles earlier in life; it is increasingly becoming a serious long-term eye health concern," said Dr Jeewan Singh Titiyal, President of All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rajkot (AIIMS Rajkot).

<ul><li>permanently alter the structure of the eye,</li><li>significantly increase the risk of retinal detachment,</li><li>lead to glaucoma,</li><li>cause cataract,</li><li>lead to irreversible vision loss later in life.</li></ul>

“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,” said Dr Rohit Saxena, Senior Pediatric Ophthalmologist, RP Singh AIIMS, New Delhi.

<h2>New Myopia Prevention Guidelines</h2>

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/extreme-summer-heat-pollution-can-take-a-toll-on-your-eyes-heres-how-to-stay-protected-article-154358475" data-type="tilCustomLink">Extreme Summer Heat, Pollution Can Take A Toll On Your Eyes: Here’s How To Stay Protected</a>

In response to the alarming rise in childhood myopia across India and globally, the All India Ophthalmological Society (<span>AIOS</span>) has released a comprehensive Consensus Guideline on “Prevention and Management of Childhood Myopia” as part of World Myopia Week 2026, held from May 18 to 24.

Dr Rohit, who is also the Program Director – <span>Myopia Guideline</span>, urged ensuring that adequate sleep, nutrition, and physical activity are not compromised.

“Early diagnosis and timely management can significantly improve outcomes and help protect children from avoidable visual impairment and future sight-threatening complications,” he said.

Dr Jeewan, also the President of AIOS, added that, unfortunately, many children fail to report blurred vision because they do not realize what normal sight should feel like.

The experts attribute the surge in childhood myopia to lifestyle changes accelerated over recent years, including prolonged screen exposure, increasing academic pressure, reduced outdoor activity, and extended periods of near work.

The transition toward digital learning environments has further contributed to children spending 4–6 hours or more daily on screens, often with inadequate visual hygiene practices.

<h2>The AIOS Guidelines And The 20-20-20 Rule</h2>

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/79th-world-health-assembly-india-created-over-880-million-digital-health-ids-says-j-p-nadda-article-154352948" data-type="tilCustomLink">79th World Health Assembly: India Created Over 880 Million Digital Health IDs, Says J P Nadda</a>

The new recommendations reinforce the importance of the widely advocated 20-20-20 rule, encouraging children to take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and focus on an object 20 feet away to reduce eye strain.

The newly released AIOS guidelines also strongly emphasize preventive strategies, including:

<ul><li>annual eye examinations,</li><li>school vision screenings,</li><li>limiting recreational screen time,</li><li>maintaining appropriate reading distance,</li><li>ensuring adequate lighting during study,</li><li>encouraging children to spend at least two hours outdoors daily.</li></ul>

“The prevention and management of childhood myopia require a shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. Environmental factors such as prolonged near work, excessive digital exposure, and reduced outdoor time are modifiable risks that demand immediate societal attention," said Dr Namrata Sharma, Professor of Ophthalmology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi.

The guidelines also provide insights into currently available myopia control interventions, including:

<ul><li>atropine eye drops,</li><li>specialized myopia control spectacles,</li><li>orthokeratology,</li><li>soft multifocal contact lenses.</li></ul>

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Childhood myopia is emerging as a major public health concern in India, and is beyond the need for spectacles, said health experts from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.Myopia or nearsightedness is a common vision condition where close-up objects appear clear, but distant objects look blurry.Recent estimates suggest that by 2050, nearly half of the global population may be affected by myopia. In India, prevalence rates among school-going children have risen sharply over the years, with urban studies indicating nearly 14 per cent prevalence, while rural regions have witnessed a rise from 4.6 per cent to 6.8 per cent over the past decade.“Childhood myopia is no longer just about children needing spectacles earlier in life; it is increasingly becoming a serious long-term eye health concern," said Dr Jeewan Singh Titiyal, President of All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rajkot (AIIMS Rajkot).High myopia can:permanently alter the structure of the eye,significantly increase the risk of retinal detachment,lead to glaucoma,cause cataract,lead to irreversible vision loss later in life.“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,” said Dr Rohit Saxena, Senior Pediatric Ophthalmologist, RP Singh AIIMS, New Delhi.New Myopia Prevention GuidelinesAlso read: Extreme Summer Heat, Pollution Can Take A Toll On Your Eyes: Here’s How To Stay ProtectedIn response to the alarming rise in childhood myopia across India and globally, the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) has released a comprehensive Consensus Guideline on “Prevention and Management of Childhood Myopia” as part of World Myopia Week 2026, held from May 18 to 24.Dr Rohit, who is also the Program Director – Myopia Guideline, urged ensuring that adequate sleep, nutrition, and physical activity are not compromised.“Early diagnosis and timely management can significantly improve outcomes and help protect children from avoidable visual impairment and future sight-threatening complications,” he said.Dr Jeewan, also the President of AIOS, added that, unfortunately, many children fail to report blurred vision because they do not realize what normal sight should feel like.The experts attribute the surge in childhood myopia to lifestyle changes accelerated over recent years, including prolonged screen exposure, increasing academic pressure, reduced outdoor activity, and extended periods of near work.The transition toward digital learning environments has further contributed to children spending 4–6 hours or more daily on screens, often with inadequate visual hygiene practices.The AIOS Guidelines And The 20-20-20 RuleRead More: 79th World Health Assembly: India Created Over 880 Million Digital Health IDs, Says J P NaddaThe new recommendations reinforce the importance of the widely advocated 20-20-20 rule, encouraging children to take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and focus on an object 20 feet away to reduce eye strain.The newly released AIOS guidelines also strongly emphasize preventive strategies, including:annual eye examinations,school vision screenings,limiting recreational screen time,maintaining appropriate reading distance,ensuring adequate lighting during study,encouraging children to spend at least two hours outdoors daily.“The prevention and management of childhood myopia require a shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. Environmental factors such as prolonged near work, excessive digital exposure, and reduced outdoor time are modifiable risks that demand immediate societal attention," said Dr Namrata Sharma, Professor of Ophthalmology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi.The guidelines also provide insights into currently available myopia control interventions, including:atropine eye drops,specialized myopia control spectacles,orthokeratology,soft multifocal contact lenses.

aiims doctors warn that childhood myopia rising in india: how the 20-20-20 rule can help

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