Bengaluru, October 19, 2024: In celebration of World Sight Day, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, Whitefield, hosted a special educational event aimed at promoting eye health and awareness among children. The initiative was part of the global effort to raise awareness about the importance of good vision and eye health, with this year’s focus on Children: “Love Your Eyes.”

The event welcomed 30 children, ranging in age from 6 to 14 years, along with their parents. Through interactive games and presentations, children and their parents learned about common vision problems like myopia and everyday practices to maintain healthy eyesight. In addition to the activities, the hospital provided complimentary eye screenings and myopia progression analysis for the early detection of vision issues that could impact learning and development, stated a press release.

Dr. Amod Nayak, Head of Clinical Services, Whitefield, said, “Myopia is an epidemic with a prevalence of 20-30%, which is expected to rise to 50% of the global population by 2050. We believe that spreading awareness, early detection, and control measures can prevent long-term vision issues and encourage healthier eyes.”

Dr. Nayak stresses the importance of regular eye exams for myopic children: “We recommend eye check-ups every six months for children with myopia. For those with high myopia, even more frequent monitoring is essential, as we need to closely watch how the condition develops."

Studies show that myopia is becoming more common in Indian children, particularly in urban areas like Bengaluru, where lifestyle changes such as increased screen time and reduced outdoor play are contributing factors. Research indicates that around 4% of school children in the city are affected by myopia, and this number is expected to rise significantly in the coming years

At Dr Agarwals specialized Myopia Clinic, advanced tools are used to assess important factors that help predict how quickly a child’s myopia might progress. The clinic provides a range of treatments, including specially designed lenses, low-dose atropine eye drops, and will soon introduce orthokeratology—a treatment where custom contact lenses gently reshape the cornea overnight to slow down the progression of myopia.

The event aligns with the mission of World Sight Day, observed annually on the second Thursday of October, to improve global eye health. As Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital continues to promote vision care in the community, the hope is to inspire future generations to prioritize eye health and prevent avoidable blindness.