As myopia (near-sightedness) continues to surge among India’s children, a nationwide awareness campaign titled #OperationMyopia – A Mission to Protect Young Eyes will be observed from November 14 to 20, 2025, marking National Myopia Week 2025.

Launched on Children’s Day, the week-long initiative—supported by ENTOD Pharmaceuticals in collaboration with the MATANAND Welfare Foundation and the Strabismus and Paediatric Ophthalmological Society of India (SPOSI)—seeks to raise awareness about preventive eye care, promote regular eye check-ups, and curb the alarming rise of myopia among school-aged children and young adults.

With participation from more than 2,500 ophthalmologists and 5,000 volunteers across 450 districts, the campaign will reach schools, communities, and clinics through a combination of on-ground events and digital outreach.

A key highlight of the initiative is the Parents’ Myopia Pledge—a nationwide digital drive hosted on www.nationalmyopiaweek.org—encouraging parents to commit to annual eye check-ups for their children. Participants can also download a Myopia Pledge Certificate, symbolizing their role in protecting young eyes and spreading awareness within their communities.

“We are witnessing a troubling trend where even very young children are developing myopia due to unhealthy lifestyle habits, excessive screen time, academic pressure, and limited outdoor activity,” said Dr. Jitendra Jethani, Managing Director, Baroda Children Eye Care and Squint Clinic, and member of SPOSI.

He added, “Routine eye examinations from an early age are now essential. Parents, teachers, and doctors must work together to protect children’s visual health. Schools should ensure at least 1.5 hours of outdoor activity per day—or two intervals of 35 minutes each—until Grade 6.

Over the past three years, the National Myopia Week campaign has successfully reached millions of parents, teachers, and students through school awareness sessions, social media initiatives, and press engagement. 

This year, ENTOD aims to reach over 7 crore people nationwide, amplifying its message through collaborations with schools, pediatric eye specialists, and community organizations.

Ophthalmologist-led educational sessions, vision screening camps, and interactive workshops will be conducted across schools and clinics.

Informational leaflets in regional languages will be distributed to educate families on preventive eye care practices and early intervention strategies.

Highlighting the urgency of the initiative, Mr. Nikkhil K. Masurkar, Executive Director of ENTOD Pharmaceuticals, said,

“Global trends are deeply concerning. Studies suggest that by 2050, nearly half of the world’s population may be affected by myopia. With #OperationMyopia, our mission is to build a nationwide movement that encourages early eye check-ups and empowers families to safeguard their children’s vision.”

To strengthen public participation, radio awareness programmes and local outreach drives—supported by Red FM—will be organized in major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, Varanasi, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Pune, Patna, Coimbatore, and Kolkata.

Myopia has become one of the fastest-growing public health concerns worldwide, with increasing prevalence among children due to reduced outdoor activity and prolonged screen exposure. 

Experts warn that without preventive measures and regular eye exams, many children may face lifelong vision problems.

Through #OperationMyopia, ENTOD Pharmaceuticals and its partners aim to promote awareness, prevention, and innovation in eye care—reinforcing their commitment to safeguarding the vision of India’s next generation.