Chandigarh, Nov. 22 -- The Advanced Eye Centre at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, has sounded the alarm over a steep rise in childhood myopia, revealing fresh data that reflects a worrying national and global trend. As part of the National Myopia Awareness Week, the paediatric ophthalmology Division reported that it is now examining 50-60 new paediatric myopia cases every month, and 43% of these children are already high myopes-a stage associated with significant risk of sight-threatening complications later in life. The week-long awareness campaign began with a creative colouring competition for young patients visiting the paediatric ophthalmology OPD, followed by extensive parent engagement through pamphlet distribution and counselling on early detection. Dr Jaspreet Sukhija said the numbers were a strong indicator of an escalating public health concern. "We are seeing a steady rise in new myopia cases among children, and the proportion of high myopia is especially concerning. High myopia increases the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma and other complications in adulthood," she said....