The importance of regular eye exams for preventing silent diseases
Leading experts in the field of optics have emphasized that regular eye exams are the first line of defense and the cornerstone of protecting vision from silent diseases such as glaucoma, retinopathy, and other eye conditions. These assurances coincide with ongoing efforts to raise health awareness, as early detection is crucial for the success of treatment plans and for preventing serious complications like amblyopia (lazy eye).
World Sight Day: A Historical and Educational Context
Every year on March 23, the world celebrates World Optometry Day, an event launched to highlight the importance of eye care. Historically, this initiative was supported by the World Council of Optometry and the World Health Organization to reduce preventable blindness and visual impairment. This day aims to unite international efforts to raise awareness that eye care is a right for everyone and to highlight the role of optometrists in improving quality of life.
Regular eye exams: Protection from digital strain
Dr. Karim Langawi
Dr. Karim Langawi, Head of the Optometry Department at Jeddah University, warned that excessive use of smart devices causes severe digital eye strain, accompanied by headaches, dryness, and temporary blurred vision. He explained that the blue light emitted from screens negatively affects the secretion of the sleep hormone melatonin. Studies have also demonstrated a direct correlation between the number of hours spent using screens and the increased incidence of myopia (nearsightedness) in children and young adults. Dr. Langawi emphasized that regular eye examinations help detect refractive errors in their early stages, thus facilitating treatment intervention.
The overall impact of early vision care
The impact of early detection of eye diseases extends beyond the individual, encompassing local, regional, and international dimensions. Locally, regular checkups alleviate the burden on healthcare systems and reduce the costs of advanced treatment, aligning with the goals of enhancing quality of life and public health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Regionally and internationally, raising community awareness leads to a reduction in rates of partial and total vision loss, positively impacting economic productivity and decreasing the prevalence of visual impairment in communities.
Healthy habits to prevent eye diseases
Tahani Al-Harbi, PhD student in Optometry
For her part, Tahani Al-Harbi, a doctoral student in optometry at King Saud University, explained that neglecting eye exams can lead to the worsening of easily treatable vision problems. She advised following healthy daily habits, most notably the "20-20-20" rule (looking at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes), along with taking breaks, getting enough sleep, and drinking plenty of water. She also emphasized the importance of a diet rich in vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids for maintaining eye health.
Development of vision correction technologies in the Kingdom
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing tremendous technological advancements in the field of vision correction surgeries, with the availability of cutting-edge medical procedures such as Femto-LASIK and lens implantation. These technologies ensure high precision, safe results, and exceptionally fast recovery. The specialists concluded their message by emphasizing that early detection is not merely a medical procedure to be performed when needed, but rather a preventative culture that families should embrace, raising the slogan: "Today's check-up is tomorrow's security; your vision is a trust, so don't wait until it weakens and you lose it.".
