Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Aug 24: In what health officials are calling a growing public health concern, Karnataka has recorded a sharp surge in vision problems among children, with excessive screen time and mobile dependency emerging as the key culprits.
Over the past year, 1.72 lac children across the state have been diagnosed with eyesight issues during routine health screenings conducted under the National Child Health Programme (RBSK).
The state health department’s RBSK initiative targets children below the age of 18 and is designed to identify and treat health conditions early, including birth defects, nutritional deficiencies, diseases, and developmental delays. As part of this effort, the department conducted health check-ups at schools and anganwadis across Karnataka, covering 1.23 crore children in the 2024–25 academic year. A significant portion of these screenings included eye examinations, leading to the identification of an unprecedented number of vision-related cases.
Health experts point to the overuse of digital screens post-COVID as a major factor.
“There’s been a clear rise in myopia (near-sightedness) among children in recent years,” said an ophthalmologist associated with the programme.
“The excessive use of smartphones and other digital gadgets, combined with a drastic reduction in outdoor activities, is proving harmful. If not addressed at the right stage, vision problems can hinder both academic performance and social development.”
Comparative figures underline the alarming trend. In 2022–23, RBSK screenings detected 98,000 children with visual impairments. That number crossed the one-lac mark in 2023–24, reaching 1.21 lac, before surging even further in the current year. To address the issue, affected children are being referred for detailed eye check-ups and provided with free spectacles under government schemes.
The rising prevalence of mobile phone addiction among children has also drawn serious concern from healthcare professionals.
“Continuous exposure to digital screens causes direct strain on the eyes,” said another eye specialist.
“The blue light emitted by these devices can lead to symptoms such as eye pain, burning sensation, irritation, watering, and redness. The problem is compounded by the fact that many schools now distribute study materials in PDF format, making children even more dependent on screens.”
In addition to screen-related issues, hereditary conditions, poor nutrition, eye infections, and injuries are contributing to visual impairment in children, doctors said.
The health department is actively screening children in all districts under RBSK, and those identified with vision problems are being offered free treatment at registered hospitals under the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust. The early detection of vision issues is especially critical as it directly impacts a child’s learning ability, officials added.
With the situation worsening, medical professionals and child health advocates are calling for urgent awareness among parents, urging them to limit children's screen time, encourage outdoor activities, and ensure regular eye examinations.
“This is not just a medical concern, it’s a social one. We must act before screen-induced damage becomes irreversible,” warned a senior paediatric ophthalmologist.