Why people in their 40s should get regular eye check up?

Eye health check ups are extremely important, more than people percieve. From diabetes to ageing, there can be several risk factors affecting the vision.

How many pf us make eye health checkup a regular part of our body fitness? Well, several of us are guilty of not paying enough attention our eyes need. The contemporary digital age has made it even more essential to keep the eyes healthy and moist. Recently, a doctor took to social media emphasising the need to nurture our eyes and vision. Timely diagnosis of any illness can help prevent fatal results. Better safe than sorry and regular health check ups are way to be updated with your fitness levels and take necessary steps.

Ageing is a natural process and there is no stopping it. However, one needs to be more careful when it comes to health. According to an ophthalmologist at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, adults in their 40s must go for regular eye checkup. This may help in preventing vision loss owing to chronic eye diseases like glaucoma. Glaucoma is ascribed to be one of the leading causes behind irreversible blindness worldwide. It is called the ‘silent thief of vision,’ because this disease often has no symptoms

Taking to social media platform X, Dr. Tanuj Dada, Professor of Ophthalmology and Head of Glaucoma Services at RP Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, said that early detection of glaucoma, which often presents no symptoms, is crucial. If left undetected it can lead to vision loss and blindness. “Glaucoma ‘silent thief of sight’ can cause irreversible vision loss if left undetected. If you have no symptoms and are above 40 years of age, it is recommended that you get an eye check-up every two years,” Dada said.

He explained that glaucoma or kala motia is a disease of the optic nerve of the eye, which is the number one cause of irreversible blindness in the world.

Who is at Risk ?

People at risk of developing glaucoma include those with “diabetes, hypertension, and any family member with glaucoma”. “People using steroids, creams, eye drops, tablets or inhalers or have had any eye injury are also at high risk of developing this disease,” the ophthalmologist said.

According to various independent studies, reports, and data from hospitals, glaucoma-related blindness continues to rise in India due lack of awareness and delay in detection, IANS reports.

In many cases, about 90 per cent time in India, the disease goes undetected. He stressed the importance of regular eye check-ups, early diagnosis, and effective management to safeguard vision for a lifetime.

“People with the risks must get annual eye checkups to rule out glaucoma. If you are above the age of 60 years, an annual check-up is required. It is a must to prevent blindness from this disease,” Dada said.

(With IANS inputs)