VisionPlus India

M yopia is no longer just a common vision concern; it’s becoming a global epidemic. By 2050, it is estimated that half of the world’s population will be myopic, with a significant portion developing high myopia, leading to sight-threatening complications. While traditional management strategies have focused primarily on diagnosis and optical correction, a new player is entering the field: Artificial Intelligence (AI). From early detection and progression prediction to personalised treatment plans, AI is making myopia management smarter, faster, and far more proactive. EARLY DETECTION AT SCALE The fight against myopia begins with early detection, and AI is proving to be a game-changer here. Deep learning algorithms can now screen retinal images, corneal topography, and axial length data to detect subtle early-stage signs of myopia and pre-myopia, even before a patient notices symptoms. In school-based screening programs, AI-powered handheld devices are helping technicians detect risk factors quickly and accurately, regardless of their clinical training. This is particularly impactful in countries like India, where the burden of paediatric myopia is growing rapidly. Furthermore, AI-driven triage systems are reducing false positives, ensuring that only children who require attention are referred for specialist care—saving time, resources, and unnecessary anxiety for families. PERSONALISED TREATMENT PLANS AI is also helping customise treatments for better outcomes. Not all children respond equally to the same intervention, be it atropine drops, orthokeratology lenses, or myopia control THE FIGHT AGAINST MYOPIA BEGINS WITH EARLY DETECTION, AND AI IS PROVING TO BE A GAME- CHANGER HERE spectacles. With AI-driven analytics, optometrists can track individual treatment responses over time and adjust plans with precision. Some AI tools are beginning to integrate lifestyle data, such as time spent outdoors or near work exposure, into their recommendations, giving a holistic view of a child’s visual environment. This fusion of clinical and behavioural insights marks a new generation of myopia management—one that sees beyond the eyeball and into the child’s actual life patterns. MAKING MYOPIA MANAGEMENT SCALABLE One of the most pressing challenges in myopia management is scaling care across populations. AI helps overcome the bottleneck of limited specialist availability. With AI-powered teleoptometry tools, frontline health workers and general practitioners can now conduct initial screenings and refer only high-risk children for detailed evaluation. In India, several public health initiatives are exploring AI integration to make school vision screenings more