Urgent Call to Action: Rising Threat of Corneal Blindness Among Indian Youth

Corneal blindness, once seen primarily in the elderly, is now increasingly affecting India's youth. The alarming trend was highlighted at the ISCKRS Meet 2025. Causes include preventable infections and injuries, with urgent calls for improved eye care infrastructure, awareness, and corneal transplants needed to address the crisis.

Corneal blindness, traditionally viewed as an ailment of the elderly, is increasingly impacting India's youth, raising concern across the medical community.

This trend was a focal point at the Indian Society of Cornea and Kerato-Refractive Surgeons (ISCKRS) Meet 2025 in Delhi, where top ophthalmologists gathered to address the escalating issue.

Dr. Rajesh Sinha, of ISCKRS, highlighted young adults under 30 as a growing demographic affected by preventable causes such as infections and injuries.

(With inputs from agencies.)