Are screens, ageing, and a boom in eye centres changing eye care in India?
He adds, 'There has also been a boost from government and private sector initiatives and innovations in Indian eye care delivery systems.'SCREEN TIME, AGEING AND CHRONIC ILLNESSES: A TRIPLE THREATOne of the biggest contributors to eye issues today is lifestyle. The excessive use of digital devices from smartphones to laptops has led to a surge in Computer Vision Syndrome and dry eye disease, doctors report.Meanwhile, rising life expectancy means more people are living long enough to develop chronic age-related eye disorders like cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.'In children, we're seeing a rise in myopia due to reduced outdoor play and prolonged near work,' says Dr. Mohan. 'In adults, there's an explosion of patients with diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration—largely due to the increase in diabetes and the near-universal use of screens.'Dr. Jeewan Singh Titiyal, Head of Clinical Services at Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital in New Delhi, adds, 'Longer life spans and digital overexposure are major factors. But so are systemic health conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension, all of which affect eye health. Even premature infants now face higher risk of retinopathy due to improved NICU care.'ADVANCED TECH IS TRANSFORMING EYE CARETechnology is playing a game-changing role in how eye diseases are diagnosed and treated. The revenue generated by the eye care market has mounted to Rs 591 crore (approximately) in 2025 till now, and it is projected for an annual growth rate of 5.12% from 2025 to 2029 (CAGR 2025-2029).From advanced imaging tools to AI-driven diagnostics, eye care is becoming more precise, minimally invasive, and accessible.'Ophthalmology involves considerable investments in diagnostic, meaning tools to measure, study and digitally document every part of the eye,' says Dr. Mohan.This includes lasers, ophthalmic microscopes, phacoemulsification systems and AI-based diagnostic platforms. "Diagnosis has become easier and more accurate, and treatment is now safer and more effective," he adds.Dr. Titiyal agrees: 'We're using AI to plan cataract surgeries, calculate intraocular lens power, and even detect glaucoma and corneal diseases early. Diagnostics are now a vital part of our treatment strategy.'advertisementTHE URBAN-RURAL DIVIDE IN ACCESS TO EYE CAREDespite these advances, access to quality eye care remains uneven across India.While Tier 1 cities are well-equipped, many rural and underserved areas still lag behind.'There is a clear gap, especially in states with lower per capita incomes or difficult terrain. States like Kerala and Tamil Nadu have managed to reduce this gap due to better urban-rural integration, but in states like Bihar or Himachal Pradesh, the disparity is wider," says Dr. Mohan.Efforts are underway to bridge this divide. Dr. Titiyal highlights initiatives like improving vision centres and training ASHA workers to screen for eye diseases.'Telemedicine is helping too. Health workers can take eye photographs and send them to ophthalmologists for remote diagnosis. But we need more collaboration between the government, private players, and NGOs," he says.THE GROWING CASE FOR PREVENTION AND EARLY SCREENINGBoth doctors agree that prevention is the future of eye care. School screenings, community-based diabetic eye checks, and awareness campaigns could help catch problems before they turn severe or lead to blindness.India's eye care sector might be evolving with increased demand for services, but to truly meet it, there has to be a shift from treatment to prevention, from urban strongholds to rural outreach, and from conventional care to tech-powered innovation.- Ends
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