Cellphone overuse causes eye issues in kids: Telanagana Health Survey

The highest number of affected students, 1,463, were from the tribal-dominated Devarakonda mandal, while the lowest, 369, were from Miryalaguda. Mandal-wise figures include Marriguda (596), Nakrekal (737), Nagarjuna Sagar (651), and Nalgonda (875).

Out of 4,691 students with health problems, 1,078 had eye conditions such as irritation and hyperopia. Other issues included anaemia (865 cases), dental problems (606), hearing loss (46), skin diseases (463), and menstrual problems (75).

Ophthalmologist Dr Pulla Rao attributed eyesight issues in children to vitamin A deficiency but noted that the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme has minimised such cases by providing nutritional food to pregnant women and children. However, the increasing addiction to mobile phones is exacerbating eye problems. He emphasised the need for parents to limit children’s mobile usage rather than relying solely on health department initiatives, except for awareness programmes.

RBSK district in-charge Dr K. Padma reported that 13 teams, including medical officers, pharmacists, lab technicians, ophthalmologists, and staff nurses, conducted the survey. They covered over 250 anganwadi centres and government schools, examining children aged 1 to 18 years. Medicines were distributed to students with anaemia, and others were referred to Rajiv Aarogya Sree-empanelled hospitals for further treatment.