On the occasion of World Sight Day today, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, organized a conference to raise awareness about eye diseases, especially myopia. Addressing the conference, the Chief of AIIMS’s Rajendra Prasad Center, Dr. J.S. Tityal, stated that myopia is growing rapidly, especially among children. He added that preventive measures need to be taken to protect children’s eyesight. Dr Tityal advised parents to monitor their children’s screen time and encourage them to engage in physical activities. He also suggested that there is a need to establish laws restricting the use of smartphones by children under three years of age. Professor and Doctor Rohit Saxena has termed myopia a lifestyle disease.

Dr Praveen Vashisht expressed happiness over the official elimination of trachoma from the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a certificate of trachoma elimination during its Regional Committee meeting in New Delhi yesterday.