Doctors say that there has been a rapid increase in demand for eye care services in India, which is mostly inspired by digital dependence, increasing awareness, and a combination of growing age population.

With hospitals and clinics in urban and semi-urban areas, ophthalmologists say that the country’s eye health landscape is undergoing a change in both challenges and opportunities.

“Increasing population, rising educational level, continuous GDP growth, and influence of mass and social media have all contributed to high demand for eye care,” Dr. Glenaigars Eye Center Director Dr.. E. Rabindra Mohan says.

He says, “Indian eye care distribution systems have also promoted government and private sector initiatives and innovations.”

Screen time, aging and chronic diseases: a triple threat

Today is one of the biggest contributors in eye issues. According to doctors report, excessive use of digital devices from smartphones to laptops has increased computer vision syndrome and dry eye disease.

Meanwhile, growing life expectancy means that more people have been living for a long time, which have long been living to develop old age related eye disorders such as cataract, macular degeneration and diabetes retinopathy.

“In children, we are watching the growth in Myopia due to low outdoor playing and near the work,” Dr. Mohan says. “In adults, patients with diabetes retinopathy and age-related spotted delicate are exploded-which is basically due to an increase in diabetes and close-to-surface use of the screen.”

Dr. in New Delhi The head of Clinical Services at Aggarwal Eye Hospital, Dr. Jeevan Singh Titiyal said, “Long -term spans of life and digital oversexor are the major factors. But therefore systemic health conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, which affect eye health. Even premature retinopathy faces high risk.”

Advanced technology is changing eye care

Technology is playing a game-changing role how eye diseases are diagnosed and treated. The revenue generated by the I Care Market has so far increased to Rs 591 crore (about) in 2025, and it is estimated for an annual growth rate of 5.12% from 2025 to 2029 (CAGR 2025-2029).

From advanced imaging tools to AI-driven diagnostics, eye care is becoming more accurate, minimal and accessible.

Dr. Says Mohan, “Eye science includes clinical, meaning tools, studies and digitally investment in every part of the eye digitally.”

It includes laser, eye-related microscope, pochumulocification system and AI-based diagnostic platform. “Diagnosis is easy and more accurate, and treatment is now safe and more effective,” they say.

Dr. Titiyal agrees: “We use AI to plan cataract surgery, calculate intraocular lens power, and even quickly detect glaucoma and corneal diseases. Diagnosis is now an important part of our treatment strategy.”

Urban-rural division in access to eye care

Despite these advances, quality eye care across India is uneven.

While the Tier 1 cities are well equipped, many rural and understanding areas are still lagging behind.

“There is a clear difference, especially in states with per capita income or difficult terrain. States like Kerala and Tamil Nadu have managed to reduce this difference due to better urban-rural integration, but in states like Bihar or Himachal Pradesh, inequality is widespread,” Dr. Mohan says.

Efforts are on to bridge this division. Dr. Titiyal highlighted the initiative such as improving vision centers and training to Asha workers to screen for eye diseases.

“Telemedicine is also helping. Health workers can take pictures of eyes and send them to ophthalmologists for remote diagnosis. But we need more cooperation between the government, private players and NGOs,” they say.

Prevention and increasing case for initial screening

Both doctors agree that prevention is the future of eye care. School screening, community-based diabetic eye checks, and awareness campaign can help catch problems before they become serious or move to blindness.

India’s eye care sector can develop with the increasing demand for services, but to actually complete it, there should be a change in prevention from treatment, from urban stronghold to rural outreach, and traditional care to technical care-driven innovations.