Sharp Rise in Myopia and Astigmatism in Bengaluru Over the Last Decade, linked to Increased Screen Time and Reduced Outdoor Activity, Say Doctors

BENGALURU / August 19, 2025:

Bengaluru is witnessing a worrying rise in refractive errors such as myopia and astigmatism, particularly among children, young adults, and IT professionals with heavy screen exposure, according to doctors at Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital. They attribute this surge to rising digital screen time, reduced outdoor activity, and the pressure of demanding academic and work schedules. In response to this growing concern in Karnataka, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital Launched new machine, Wavelight® EX500 Contoura Excimer Laser in Bengaluru, an advanced topography-guided LASIK system that delivers highly precise, customised treatments to help patients achieve sharper, clearer vision.

Refractive errors are vision problems that occur when the eye cannot focus light correctly, making objects appear blurred. In Karnataka, myopia and astigmatism have shown a sharp rise in recent years, especially among children aged 8–15 and young adults aged 20–35. Experts emphasise that early screening and timely treatment of refractive errors are vital to preventing long-term complications such as lazy eye in children as well as reducing eye strain in young adults and preserving overall quality of life.

Dr. Amod Nayak, Head Clinical Services at Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, explained, “We are witnessing a rapid rise in refractive errors, particularly myopia and astigmatism, in Bengaluru and across Karnataka. Children and young professionals are most vulnerable due to screen-heavy lifestyles. The Contoura Vision technology allows us to correct not only refractive errors like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, but also microscopic corneal irregularities that glasses or standard LASIK often miss for anyone above the age of 18 years. This means our patients enjoy sharper, more natural vision.”

Unlike conventional LASIK, Contoura Vision maps up to 22,000 unique points on the cornea to deliver highly personalized treatment. This advanced approach corrects even subtle irregularities in the eye’s surface, enhancing visual clarity and reducing side effects such as glare and halos, enabling faster recovery and sharper vision.

Dr. Sanjana Vatsa, Cornea and Refractive Eye Surgeon at Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, said, “For many patients, refractive surgery is no longer just a cosmetic choice, it’s about comfort, productivity, and long-term eye health. This machine brings a new standard of precision and safety to Bengaluru, enabling patients to return to work within 48–72 hours of the procedure. We expect this innovation to significantly reduce dependence on glasses and improve quality of life across age groups.”

Contoura technology maps your eye with the same level of uniqueness as a fingerprint and then customizes the laser reshaping to match that exact pattern. This provides highly precise refractive outcomes for every individual’s cornea, treats Higher Order Aberrations (HOAs), reduces chances of glare and holes and thus provides overall excellent quality of vision and improves night vision.

“With five refractive machines already operational across Karnataka and over 65 across India, and 13 hospital facilities in Bengaluru alone, we are at the forefront of advanced refractive surgery. This expansion is not a trial run but an extension of a well-established practice that has transformed thousands of lives through safe, reliable, and personalised procedures,”

Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital performs about 2,500–3,000 refractive surgeries every month, reflecting the trust and expertise it brings to advanced vision correction. As part of the launch, the hospital is offering Free Refractive Evaluation and Contoura procedures at the best value across all Karnataka branches throughout August.