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Regular Eye Checks Can Prevent Avoidable Blindness and Disability in Low-Income Rural and Urban Communities
A simple eye exam can make the difference between permanent vision and permanent disability.
Dr. M. Priyadarshini, a fellow at Sightsavers India, recently came across a reel on social media where an ophthalmologist humorously posted: “Born to say: your eyes look beautiful… but forced to say: conjunctiva – clear; cornea – clear; AC depth – normal; pupil – NSNR; lens – clear; fundus – within normal limits.” Although joyful, it made her reflect on how these routine parameters reveal critical insights about eye health. For example, a simple “red eye” could indicate anything from minor conjunctivitis to a medical emergency like angle-closure glaucoma (ACG).
As Dr. M. Priyadarshini explains, vision is one of the senses most vital to daily functioning; However, many people ignore treatable conditions until irreversible vision loss occurs. This challenge is most acute in low-income rural and urban communities, where lack of awareness, access, and timely care leads to avoidable blindness.
Most eye conditions, refractive errors, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy, and childhood visual impairment, progress silently. According to Dr. M. Priyadarshini, these conditions can be treated when detected early through regular examinations. Routine eye checks detect early signs of damage before symptoms appear.
Uncorrected refractive error alone contributes to nearly 80% of visual impairment, affecting children's ability to learn and adults' ability to work. Many children are labeled “slow learners” simply because they cannot see the board clearly. A basic vision exam can transform academic and economic opportunities.
Cataracts, the leading cause of blindness in the world, are easily treated with timely surgery. Glaucoma, the “silent thief of sight,” causes irreversible damage without early warning signs. Only routine IOP checks and optic nerve evaluations, Dr. Priyadarshini notes, can prevent lifelong disability.
Diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy are increasing rapidly, but many people remain unaware that these systemic diseases can damage the retina. Dilated fundus exams or portable fundus cameras at outreach camps can detect early retinal damage and allow timely intervention.
Why regular eye checks are important
As Dr. M. Priyadarshini highlighted, consistent eye exams:
Detect early vision problems
Prevent complications of chronic diseases.
Reduce avoidable blindness
Improve academic and economic results.
Change community health-seeking behavior
Strengthen local health systems.
Why communities are still left out
Despite the simplicity of prevention, several barriers remain:
Lack of awareness
Cost concerns
Distance to clinics
Cultural fears
Limited vision care providers
Daily sustenance takes priority
These challenges create what Dr. M. Priyadarshini calls a cycle of “waiting until it is too late.”
The solution: awareness + access
Public awareness campaigns, school screenings, and community-level eye camps can greatly reduce disability. These programs, as Dr. M. Priyadarshini explains, perform visual acuity testing, basic refraction, on-site glasses distribution, cataract screening, simple glaucoma screening, and referrals for further care. They require minimal cost but have a far-reaching impact.
Mobile clinics, NGO-government partnerships, and local volunteers play a key role in bringing eye care to underserved areas. Strengthening community systems ensures long-term sustainability.
Sightsavers India, where Dr. M. Priyadarshini is a member, builds sustainable eye health ecosystems across the country. Its programs, Netra Vasant, Amrita Drishti, Vidya Jyoti and RAAHI, offer screening, glasses, surgical referrals and follow-up care to rural, urban poor and underserved communities.
Beyond eye care, they promote inclusive education and disability inclusion, allowing people with visual impairments to live independent and dignified lives.
For Dr. M. Priyadarshini, the message is simple but urgent: Many of the patients she knows could have preserved their vision with just one timely exam. Eye care is no longer just a medical necessity, it is an economic lifeline for families and communities.
A simple eye exam can prevent lifelong disability. His final appeal is sincere: “Come see us so we can help you see the world better.”
About the author
Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. December 2, 2025, 18:00 IST
