Age-related long-sightedness rising sharply in Telangana

A 15-year study by LV Prasad Eye Institute reveals that 50% of people in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh suffer from presbyopia, an age-related near-vision disorder. Researchers call for its inclusion in primary healthcare and greater public awareness of the condition.

Hyderabad: The incidence of age-related long-sightedness (presbyopia)—a condition in which the eyes gradually lose the ability to see nearby objects—is rising in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. A long-term study spanning 15 years by ophthalmologists and public health specialists in Hyderabad has revealed that the incidence of this eye condition is 50 percent in both Telugu States, and likely across South India.

This 50 percent incidence translates to 3 to 4 percent of the healthy population in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh developing this condition annually, impairing their ability to focus on close objects.

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Despite this, many individuals do not get their vision corrected. The study estimated that the prevalence of uncorrected presbyopia is 33 percent.

Crucially, the research conducted by the Hyderabad-based L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI)—published in the prestigious British Journal of Ophthalmology in March 2025—highlighted that the onset of presbyopia is commonly observed among individuals in their late 30s and early 40s.

The 50 percent incidence also underscores the urgent need for the state governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to integrate near-vision correction into primary healthcare services.

“Twenty-five percent of people aged 30 and above have presbyopia, which can be easily treated with an inexpensive pair of corrective spectacles. The incidence was relatively high in this southern Indian population. The findings could help design future eye care strategies to screen at-risk individuals and provide timely intervention,” the LVPEI researchers said.

Dubbed the Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study (APEDS), the project is a large-scale, population-based longitudinal study on vision loss and eye diseases conducted by LVPEI across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The latest phase—APEDS III (2012–2016)—provides 15-year follow-up data on patients from APEDS I (1996–2000).

Why is the incidence so high?
Researchers found that advancing age (30s and 40s), lack of education or awareness, no formal education or only primary schooling, and hypertension were the most significant risk factors for presbyopia.

Important facts for Telangana on age-related farsightedness:

• 52 percent of people in Telangana and AP have this ailment

• Every year, 3 to 4 percent new cases of presbyopia are added

• Onsets starts from late 30s and early 40s

• Hypertension, lack of awareness/ education and ageing are risk factors

• 33 percent of people with this ailment do not get their vision corrected

• Study highlights need to integrate near-vision correction in primary health care