From November 14th to 20th, 2024, ENTOD Pharmaceuticals actively participated in the National Myopia Week 2024 AllEyesonMyopia Campaign, aiming to tackle the concerning increase in myopia cases, especially among children. In collaboration with the MATANAND Welfare Foundation and the Strabismus and Paediatric Ophthalmological Society of India (SPOSI), the campaign focused on prevention, early detection, and effective management of myopia. ​

The campaign successfully reached over 50 million individuals, including parents, teachers, children, and healthcare professionals. In 400 districts, 2,000 ophthalmologists conducted awareness programs, offering free eye check-ups and myopia education sessions in 200 schools, directly benefiting over 50,000 students. Additionally, awareness drives in 250 eye hospitals and clinics engaged 100,000 patients and families.​

Digital platforms played a significant role in amplifying the campaign's message. Collaborations with over 100 social media influencers, including parenting and health experts, expanded the campaign's reach. The hashtags #AllEyesonMyopia, #NationalMyopiaWeek, and #Entodpharma trended prominently on social media, with #AllEyesonMyopia reaching 18 million users. The campaign's theme song, released on platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music, further enhanced public engagement.​

Efforts extended to remote regions, including Kashmir, where activities in 18 schools and eye clinics reached underserved communities. A documentary detailing the campaign's impact is set for release on the Hotstar OTT platform in early 2025, expected to reach over 30 million viewers in India.​

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common refractive error causing blurry distance vision, often developing during childhood. Recent studies indicate a sharp rise in myopia globally, with projections showing that one-third of urban Indian children aged 5 to 15 will experience myopia by 2030. High myopia significantly increases the risk of irreversible vision loss, making this condition a major public health concern.​

Nikkhil K Masurkar, CEO of ENTOD Pharmaceuticals, emphasized the importance of proactive measures in addressing myopia, aiming to empower families with the knowledge and resources needed to protect their vision.​

The success of National Myopia Week 2024 highlights the importance of united efforts in advancing eye health, creating a healthier future for communities across India.​

In a groundbreaking move, the Kerala government has collaborated with Remidio, a leader in AI-driven ophthalmic solutions, to introduce Nayanamritham 2.0—an AI-assisted screening program targeting chronic eye diseases. Building upon the success of its predecessor, Nayanamritham 1.0, which focused on diabetic retinopathy, this new phase expands to include glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). ​The New Indian Express

The program equips optometrists with Remidio’s AI-enabled fundus cameras, allowing for immediate classification of cases as referable or non-referable. This innovation ensures faster diagnoses and timely referrals, significantly enhancing patient care. By integrating AI into existing workflows, Kerala's health system aims to make eye screenings more efficient, accessible, and affordable.​

Nayanamritham 2.0 extends its reach across community health centers, taluk hospitals, and district hospitals, ensuring comprehensive eye care is available at all levels of the healthcare system. This initiative sets a global precedent for integrating AI into public health, showcasing the transformative power of collaboration between government bodies and health technology innovators.​

Dr. Bipin Gopal, Deputy Director of the Department of Health Services in Kerala, emphasized that AI is designed to empower healthcare providers, not replace them. By enabling optometrists to detect routine cases with AI-powered cameras, ophthalmologists can focus on more advanced cases, delivering high-quality care where it's needed most.

As AI continues to redefine global healthcare, Kerala's Nayanamritham 2.0 stands as a significant milestone, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of screenings and empowering healthcare providers to deliver better patient outcomes.​

A recent meta-analysis published in JAMA Network Open reveals a significant association between increased daily screen time and the risk of developing myopia, or nearsightedness, in children. The study analyzed data from over 335,000 participants across 45 studies and found that each additional hour of screen time per day raises the risk of myopia by 21%. Children engaging in screen-based activities for more than four hours daily are particularly vulnerable. Myopia can lead to severe eye health complications, including retinal tears and glaucoma. Experts recommend strategies like the 20-20-20 rule—taking a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away every 20 minutes—to mitigate eyestrain. This study underscores the need for regulating screen time, especially in children, to prevent long-term vision issues.

In an innovative public health campaign, 1001 Optometry has installed optical illusion billboards across Sydney to raise awareness about the importance of regular vision tests. These billboards, created by artist Prospex Park, display hidden messages such as "eye care," "eye test," and "eye scan," which are visible only when viewed out of focus—a common symptom of myopia. The campaign addresses the concerning statistic that myopia is projected to affect 50% of the global population by 2050. In Australia, 80% of people experience difficulty seeing distant objects, and 76% struggle with near vision. Despite these figures, 26% of Australians haven't had their eyes checked since 2019. Regular eye tests are crucial for early detection and management of vision and eye health issues.

👁️ Did you know? Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, and most patients don’t even know they have it! During Glaucoma Awareness Week, Rameshwaram Netralaya urges everyone to get their eyes tested.

🔹 What is Glaucoma?
It is a condition that damages the optic nerve due to high eye pressure. If left untreated, it leads to permanent vision loss.

🔹 Who is at Risk?
✔️ People above 40 years
✔️ Those with a family history of glaucoma
✔️ Diabetic & Hypertensive patients
✔️ Individuals with high myopia (nearsightedness)

🔹 Early Detection Saves Sight!
Glaucoma has no early symptoms, so regular eye checkups are the only way to detect it early. At Rameshwaram Netralaya, we use advanced OCT scans & tonometry to diagnose and treat glaucoma effectively.

📞 Book Your Eye Checkup Now: +91-95598-12456
📍 Visit Us: George Town, Prayagraj

Protect Your Vision – Act Now! 👁️✨