New Delhi: Prolonged screen exposure, reduced outdoor activity, and growing dependence on digital learning have contributed to a sharp surge in childhood myopia in recent years. Addressing this emerging public health concern, Delhi-based central government run Safdarjung Hospital last week inaugurated a dedicated Myopia Clinic focused on early detection, prevention, and evidence-based management of paediatric myopia.
The clinic was formally inaugurated by Dr. Charu Bamba, Medical Superintendent, in the presence of Dr. Anuj Mehta, Head of Ophthalmology, and Dr. Pankaj Ranjan, In-charge of the Myopia Clinic, along with other faculty members and hospital staff.
The hospital attends to nearly 20–25 children daily, most aged between four and eighteen, coming from diverse family backgrounds. Dr. Ranjan noted that excessive screen time and visual strain have led to a steep rise in spectacle prescriptions, an increase in high myopia cases, and a growing risk of long-term retinal complications.
Recognising the importance of early intervention, the new Myopia Clinic offers a structured and comprehensive approach to paediatric eye care. The facility provides early diagnosis and routine monitoring of refractive errors, ensuring timely and appropriate treatment. Children also have access to scientifically validated myopia-control therapies, including low-dose atropine eye drops, as well as specialised glasses and lenses designed to reduce visual strain and support healthier eye development.
Dr. Ranjan emphasised the crucial role of school-based health screening in detecting developmental and behavioural concerns at an early stage. “We often see children as young as three or four. Parental counselling is essential at this stage—particularly regarding adequate outdoor activity, limiting screen-based indoor games, and maintaining a balanced daily routine,” he said.
For children already living with high myopia, the clinic conducts detailed retinal evaluations and provides preventive care to minimise long-term complications. The centre also offers lifestyle-modification guidance, with a strong emphasis on increasing outdoor activities—an evidence-supported measure shown to slow the progression of myopia.
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