How World Sight Day highlights the value of eye health worldwide

Eye care is about so much more than seeing clearly. Some people say, “the eyes are the windows to the soul,” but I propose the eyes are actually a window to our overall health. And today, on World Sight Day, there is no better moment to turn our attention to the long-term consequences poor eye health and eyesight have on the global community.

A thorough assessment of a person’s eyes by an optometrist can detect more than 270 chronic conditions, including some serious systemic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and even certain types of brain tumours.

Of course, heart disease, brain tumours and the multitude of other chronic conditions are no less important, but for now I want to focus on the ramifications of an untreated diabetes diagnosis.

Nearly 537 million adults around the world have diabetes, with nearly half (240 million) unknowingly living with the disease. Unfortunately, the former is predicted to increase significantly by 46% with one in eight adults living with diabetes by 2045.

Aside from some of the more well-known symptoms – increased thirst, fatigue and unintentional weight loss – another sign of diabetes’ devastating impact is the breakdown of the eyes’ vascular system, also called diabetic retinopathy.

This condition, which in the early stages typically doesn’t present symptoms and can only be detected by a retinal exam performed by an eye doctor, causes swelling and leaking blood vessels. The increase in fluid due to blood accumulation in part of the retina may result in irreversible vision impairment. This is critical because not only is diabetic retinopathy the third-leading cause of blindness throughout the world, only after refractive errors and cataracts, but in 2019 alone, diabetes and diabetic kidney disease resulted in nearly 2 million global deaths.

The positive news is that early detection and treatment can lower the risk of blindness from diabetes-related diseases by 95% - making an eye exam a critical component of prevention and early detection.

That’s why having an optometrist serve a prominent role on a person’s overall care team is critical and shouldn’t be an afterthought. There are several international professional associations and societies that tout the magnitude of an annual eye exam and it’s up to us as healthcare providers to keep sharing the message.

Chronic conditions, poor eye health and the subsequent consequences can have detrimental impacts on several aspects of a person’s quality of life. While, even mild vision impairments can lower the ability for someone to obtain or hold down steady employment, which decreases the likelihood of being able to afford balanced and nutritious meals for themselves and their families.

A child’s inability to see a chalkboard at the front of the class poses needless challenges on their educational journey, not to mention the physical toll of eye strain, headaches, fatigue and lacklustre attention spans. But the inadequacies don’t end there. The mental and emotional cost is incalculable, as individuals and communities alike can suffer from a variety of mental health challenges in part because of the absence of care.

Lack of access is another issue. It’s not a coincidence that at the apex of this concern are populations that are surviving in underserved areas. In fact, at least one billion people around the world live with vision impairment and are unable to get the care they need.

Then there is the global economic impact. A Lancet study, published in April 2021, estimated that mild to severe vision impairment of more than 160 million people can result in the loss of $410.7 billion of purchasing power.

How can healthcare and eye care professionals, along with key stakeholders, ensure people receive high-quality vision care? One of the first steps is learning from organizations that are helping solve issues around access. The global coordinator of World Sight Day, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, has skillfully raised the profile of eye health and care with key international bodies that have helped lift the barrier to treatment.

Furthermore, the IAPB focuses not just on the delivery of eye care services, but delivery in the most economical way possible. For example, the IAPB offers non-invasive and cost-effective treatments, such as annual exams, prescription glasses and other essential eye care.

Established in 2003, Optometry Giving Sight is another organization that provides eye exams and care to marginalized communities. But more than that, volunteers train eye care professionals in those areas of need and construct sustainable foundations for care long after volunteers have moved on to other communities. These are just two organizations of many who lend their expertise and volunteerism to those who need it most.

As World Sight Day comes and goes, I hope all healthcare providers and their patients will acknowledge the prominent role eye health plays in total wellness year-round. By 2030, one in six people on the planet will be aged 60 and over — an increasingly ageing population that has unique healthcare needs, including vision. This demographic shift will undoubtedly also impact the resources required for optimal vision care around the world.

We must get ahead of this 'curve' now because everyone deserves the precious gift of sight.