‘Rise in mobile use can push childhood vision defects to 40%’

Vision defects in children could rise by 40 percent in the coming years due to excessive mobile phone usage and changing lifestyles, warned G. Natchiar, Director Emeritus of Aravind Eye Hospital.

Addressing reporters during a press meeting here on Friday, she advised parents to stop giving mobile phones to children for playing and instead encourage them to spend time playing outdoors in the sunlight.

Reflecting on the hospital’s history, she noted that Aravind Eye Hospital was established in Madurai in 1976 with just 11 beds by its visionary founder and chairman Dr. G. Venkataswamy.

Today, it has expanded into a premier global eye care organisation playing a critical role in medical services across India and the world.