Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Apr 6: Around 38,000 children in Karnataka, aged six to 16, are suffering from visual impairment, with some experiencing normal reductions in eyesight while others face more serious issues requiring medical attention. This data surfaced from a health department study conducted in eight villages across the state.

Despite parental advice against prolonged mobile and TV use, many children disregard it, leading to serious eye problems. Consequently, a significant number of children now wear spectacles.

Dr Sripati Kamath, an Ophthalmologist in Mangaluru, notes that while some children have congenital eye issues, many nowadays develop problems due to excessive use of mobile phones, TVs, and other gadgets. Prompt medical attention is advised for children experiencing eye problems.

During the 2022-23 academic year, 64 lac school children underwent eye tests, with over half of them reported to have visual impairment. Additionally, the health department identified eye-related illnesses in 1.73 lakh children.

Under the Asha Kiran project, spectacles were distributed to children aged six to 16 in various districts, including 4,071 in Chamarajanagar, 4,489 in Haveri, 9,712 in Kalaburagi, 2,238 in Chitradurga, 3,939 in Mandya, and 1,942 in Uttara Kannada. The main eye issues observed were myopia and hyperopia, with ophthalmologists recommending spectacles when necessary to prevent worsening conditions.

Health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao also had expressed concern over the rising number of vision issues among young children and assured that the department provides free eye check-ups, treatment, and distribution of spectacles where needed.