Rising Threat of Corneal Blindness Among Youth in India
Corneal Blindness: A Growing Concern for Young People
New Delhi, Aug 4: Health professionals have reported a concerning rise in corneal blindness, a condition previously thought to primarily affect older individuals, now increasingly impacting teenagers and young adults across India.
This type of blindness, while serious, is largely preventable. It occurs when the cornea, the eye's clear front surface, becomes cloudy or scarred due to various factors such as infections, injuries, or nutritional deficiencies.
Currently, corneal opacities rank as the second leading cause of blindness in India, impacting tens of thousands of people each year.
During a recent three-day conference held by the Indian Society of Cornea and Kerato-Refractive Surgeons (ISCKRS) in New Delhi, it was revealed that India sees between 20,000 and 25,000 new cases of corneal blindness annually, with this figure on the rise.
“We are observing a troubling trend where a significant number of new cases are occurring in individuals under 30 years of age. Young people are losing their sight due to conditions that could easily be avoided,” stated Prof. Rajesh Sinha, an Ophthalmology Professor at AIIMS, New Delhi.
“Common infections, untreated injuries, and a lack of awareness are leading to permanent vision loss,” he added.
The expert panel at the conference pointed out that trauma-related injuries, particularly among youth involved in agriculture, manual labor, or industrial jobs, are contributing to this alarming increase.
Many of these injuries are either left untreated or managed with home remedies, resulting in severe infections and scarring.
Additionally, Vitamin A deficiency, which remains a problem in various regions of the country, is causing significant corneal damage in children and adolescents. These challenges are exacerbated by low awareness levels, insufficient early diagnosis, and limited access to specialized eye care in rural and underserved areas, according to the experts.
“It is unacceptable that in 2025, we are still witnessing thousands of young individuals losing their sight to preventable causes. Corneal blindness among youth should be treated as a public health crisis in India. A national strategy with robust community involvement is urgently needed,” urged Dr. Ikeda Lal, a Senior Consultant in Cornea, Cataract, and Refractive Surgery at a prominent hospital in the capital.
Dr. Lal also stressed the significance of early detection and preventive measures, especially through rural and school-based health initiatives.
“Even minor symptoms such as redness, irritation, or blurred vision should not be overlooked. By the time many patients reach specialized centers, the damage is often irreversible,” she explained. She also proposed the use of tele-ophthalmology and mobile eye-care clinics to improve access to care for rural populations.