We often consider lifestyle diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and stress as threats to our heart and kidneys. However, there’s another often-overlooked casualty of modern living: our eyesight. In urban India, changing lifestyles – including unhealthy diets and excessive screen time – are quietly impacting vision, often without obvious early symptoms.
This February, during , it’s crucial to understand the connection between our daily habits and eye health, and what steps we can take to protect our sight.
Why Lifestyle Diseases Matter to Your Eyes
Our eyes depend on a delicate network of tiny blood vessels and nerves. Conditions like diabetes and hypertension can damage these structures over time. Elevated blood sugar and blood pressure weaken the retina and optic nerve, potentially leading to blurry vision and, if left unmanaged, irreversible vision loss. Many individuals may not notice problems until significant vision deterioration has already occurred.
Diabetes: A Major Threat to Vision in India
India is frequently referred to as the “diabetes capital of the world.” Current estimates suggest over 100 million people in India live with diabetes, with millions more undiagnosed or in pre-diabetic stages. Among those with diabetes, approximately 17% are likely to develop diabetic retinopathy (DR), damage to the retina’s blood vessels that can lead to vision loss. A recent study by Vision2020 India found that about 21 million diabetics had some degree of vision loss, including 2.4 million who were blind due to the disease. Alarmingly, a large proportion of diabetics have never had a retinal exam or been informed about the potential impact of diabetes on their eyes. What we have is not solely a medical issue, but also a significant social and economic concern, costing India billions annually in lost productivity and reduced quality of life.
Hypertension and Vision: The Quiet Damage
High blood pressure often presents no immediate symptoms, yet it gradually damages the delicate vessels in the retina. Many individuals with hypertension maintain normal vision for years until sudden or irreversible damage occurs. Frequent blood pressure monitoring, coupled with regular eye checks, is often the first step in identifying early changes before they become severe.
Digital Screens and Eye Strain: The Urban Reality
Beyond metabolic conditions, our increasingly digital lifestyle has created another eye concern known as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Adults and children now spend extended periods on laptops, phones, and tablets. Prolonged screen use can lead to eye strain, dryness, headaches, and blurred vision.
Children are particularly vulnerable. Alongside digital eye strain, there’s a notable increase in myopia (nearsightedness) among children in Indian cities. The prevalence of myopia among urban schoolchildren has risen sharply, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, with some reports indicating rates increasing from around 5% to over 20% in recent years. Experts caution that by , up to one-third of urban Indian children could be affected by myopia due to increased screen time and reduced outdoor activities.
Simple Steps to Protect Your Eyesight
- Schedule a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year, and more frequently if you have diabetes or hypertension. Early detection is critical.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule when using screens: every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Encourage children to spend at least two hours outdoors daily. Natural light supports healthy eye development.
- Maintain a healthy diet, manage screen time, blood sugar, and blood pressure.
A Wake-Up Call for Urban India
Vision loss related to lifestyle diseases and digital habits doesn’t occur abruptly. It develops gradually, often without pain or obvious changes. This Low Vision Awareness Month, let’s remember that caring for our eyes extends beyond glasses and contact lenses. It involves adopting healthier lifestyles, understanding the risks of prolonged screen time, and prioritizing regular eye check-ups as a non-negotiable part of our healthcare routine.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is shared by experts and is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Health Tools:
Calculate Your Body Mass Index (BMI)
