Authored By: Dr E. Ravindra Mohan, Director, Gleneagles Eye Centre, Gleneagles Hospital Chennai
The second Thursday of the month of October is celebrated as World Sight Day every year. This day has been observed since the year 2000 and is now coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) alongside the World Health Organization. The theme for this year is “Children, love your eyes”. World Sight Day is an opportunity to highlight the importance of protecting our eyes and vision, raise awareness of vision impairment and blindness, and promote eye and vision care. The campaign focus is on the accessibility, availability, and affordability of eye care services for all children this year.
Over 70% of the population in any part of the world has eye care needs. These needs may vary in complexity from the simple need for glasses to correct refractive errors, to extremely challenging complex eye operations to restore vision in blind individuals. Sight is the most important of a human being’s senses, contributing an estimated 70% of the information about our surroundings to us. In other words, we are very visual animals, and any defect or difficulty with vision is not only picked up early but also has serious implications on our personal and professional growth and wellbeing.
On one hand, giant strides have been made by our country, and Tamil Nadu in particular, in the development of modern and comprehensive eye care facilities and services, with access to all irrespective of geographical location and ability to pay. Much has been achieved in terms of cataract surgery for one and all with universal implantation of intra-ocular lenses to restore good quality vision after cataract surgery. On the other hand, newer diseases and eye conditions pose challenges. The epidemic of diabetes mellitus, with India becoming an epicentre raises the population at risk of blinding diabetic retinopathy. Vast resources are needed to combat retinal disease and there is a huge need for raising awareness, mass screening of diabetics for eye disease, and the delivery of treatments including laser therapy, medications and surgery.
Another silent epidemic that has affected the eyes of young and old alike is related to the widespread use of laptops, tablets, desktops and other devices, particularly mobile phones. The reduced blink rate, overuse of eye muscles needed for near work, and prolonged hours of work on bright screens result in a condition called computer vision syndrome or digital eye strain. While the condition does not cause loss of vision or blindness, it is a cause of considerable discomfort, eye strain, headache and even neck and back pain resulting in stress, lack of productivity and even greater ill health. The steps to reduce these symptoms, reassuringly are simple and steps including adequate water intake, frequent breaks when working on devices, ergonomic designs of workstations, and use of lubricating eye drops when necessary, can considerably reduce and even prevent the eye symptoms related to device use.
Overall, like any other part of the body, we must care for our eyes which are precious. This is the best way to ensure that our eyes serve us well throughout life.
