How well does India see?

“A study by Signify reveals alarming increase in the number of Indians suffering from poor eyesight

• 90% of ophthalmologists in India agree that lighting plays an important role in maintaining eye health; flickering and too bright lighting can impact eyesight
• Four in five Indians admit to not following doctor’s recommendations for eye-care, with only one in five going for regular eye-checkups
• 84% of Indian adults agree that lighting can significantly impact their eyesight”

healthy soch

New Delhi, October 10, 2019:

On the occasion of World Sight Day, Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting (formerly known as Philips Lighting), released findings from a research covering 1,000 Indian adults and 300 ophthalmologists across the top 10 cities in India. The research reveals a significant increase in the number of Indians suffering from poor eyesight. While a substantial section of adults (65%) claim that a healthy eyesight is a key priority for their well-being, very few people take steps to actively maintain their vision. The study also highlighted that Indians spend over 14 hours daily indoors under artificial light, and hence the quality of lighting becomes an important factor in maintaining eye health.

Ophthalmologists state that 3 in 4 Indians complain of eyestrain after 10 hours of daily screen time, and young adults in the age group of 20-35 years frequently report eyestrain, redness and irritation in the eyes. This widespread health concern is further compounded by the lackadaisical attitude of Indian adults towards eye-care, with only one in five adults going for regular eye-checkups and an alarming majority (84%) admitting to not following their doctor’s recommendations for eye-care.

According to Indian ophthalmologists, many factors can lead to a deterioration in eyesight and eye discomfort. Bad lighting (64%), a poor lifestyle (92%) and other health issues like diabetes (82%) were indicated as leading factors by ophthalmologists in the country. An overwhelming majority of doctors (90%) agreed that lighting can play an important role in maintaining eye health and that flicker, too much brightness and incorrect positioning of light source can hurt eyes in the long term. This was also corroborated by adults surveyed in the research, with 82% agreeing that good quality lighting can improve their concentration and a similar number (85%) willing to pay more for a bulb that is comfortable for their eyes.

As per the research, Indians prioritize factors like brightness, brand, efficiency and price of a light bulb above eye comfort, in that particular order, while making purchase decisions. However, doctors advise that consumers should choose bulbs that are comfortable for eyes, rather than using cheap, unbranded lights that can be harmful for eyes.

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Other steps, advised by doctors, include picking the right light for the right task, such as white light for reading and yellow light for relaxing, and ensuring that the light source is positioned correctly, especially while watching TV or reading.  Adequate sleep, a protein rich diet, limiting screen time and an active lifestyle can also go a long way in protecting eye health amongst adults.

Speaking on the research, Sumit Padmakar Joshi, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Signify Innovations India Limited, said “The type

 of lighting we use can have a significant impact on our daily life. For instance, artificial light that causes glare or flicker can lead to eye discomfort and headaches. Therefore, choosing the right lighting is very important. We are delighted to launch our latest EyePro LED bulb with interlaced optics. This patented technology, inspired by the pattern of sunflower seeds, naturally diffuses light. This makes it ideal for high concentration tasks such as reading and writing. It can reduce glare by up to 35% and ensures no flicker, making it comfortable for eyes.”

Amongst the 10 cities surveyed, Mumbai reported the highest incidences of eye related problems, followed by Ahmedabad, Delhi and Pune. People in Lucknow spent the maximum number of hours under artificial lighting, followed by Jaipur, Mumbai and Kolkata.