Eye health is one of the most neglected areas when it comes to the annual health check-up, whereas many vision-threatening conditions are known to develop silently and become difficult to reverse when diagnosed
late.
Data from India’s National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment highlight the scale and scope of prevention through timely care. According to the report, around 117,55,185 people benefited from annual eye exams in 2024-2025, which then led to 9,893,679 timely cataract operations, 12,14,395 free spectacles distribution among schoolchildren and 6,47,111 treated for other eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. These figures go beyond merely reflecting the scale of the programme. It highlights the widespread prevalence of undiagnosed eye conditions in the community and reinforces why preventive eye examinations should be part of every annual health check-up.
Dr Vasant Sapovadia, Senior Cataract & Refractive Surgeon at Netradeep Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospitals, says, “Most people associate eye check-ups with blurred vision or the need for spectacles, but many serious eye diseases progress silently without causing any visual complications in the early stages. Glaucoma and retinal conditions can progress silently for years, and by the time symptoms become noticeable, irreversible vision loss may already occurred. Annual eye examinations help us to detect these subtle changes at the initial stages, monitor risk factors, and intervene before vision is compromised. Regular screening is one of the most effective ways to preserve eyesight over a lifetime.”
Early Detection of Silent Eye Diseases
Several significant eye diseases can occur without any initial warning signs. For instance, glaucoma, sometimes called the ‘silent thief of sight’, can continually damage the optic nerve without any noticeable effects on vision until it is very advanced. Similarly, the retina may be affected due to ageing or systemic diseases, which can go undetected for a long time. Regular eye check-ups help the ophthalmologists to measure eye pressure and examine the condition of the optic nerve and the retina, enabling them to spot the onset of the disease before vision is noticeably impaired.
Family History and Preventive Screening
Family history is a major factor that increases the risk for specific eye disorders, especially glaucoma and hereditary retinal disorders. Most people are not aware of the risk until their vision starts to deteriorate. Eye check-ups at least once a year are a chance to identify genetic risk factors and promote screening among immediate family members, particularly those over the age of forty.
An easy and effective way to preserve eyesight in the future is to have the eyes checked during the annual medical check-up. Regular eye screening is the key to early diagnosis and timely treatment of eye diseases, which can therefore help to maintain good eye health, lowering the chances of losing vision from conditions that are preventable or treatable.
Impact of Systemic Health on the Eyes
The eyes remain one of the major indicators of a person’s overall health condition. For example, ophthalmologists can non-invasively examine the blood vessels and nerves in the eyes, which are often directly affected by conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and thyroid disorders. Sometimes, for instance, diabetic retinopathy can still develop despite good blood sugar control based on one’s blood sugar levels. Awareness about including eye examinations as part of the regular health check-up can help prevent systemic diseases from silently affecting eyesight while enabling timely and coordinated care between the physicians and ophthalmologists.
Age-Related Changes Need Regular Monitoring
With age, the chances of cataracts, glaucoma, and macular conditions increase. Such changes are gradual and can easily go unnoticed. Routine eye check-ups provide a baseline for normal changes caused by ageing and help to determine if ageing is accompanied by a disease and allow for timely treatment if necessary. In most cases, early interventions result in good visual outcomes and less dependence in the later stages of life.
Improving Productivity and Quality of Life
Good vision plays a vital role in daily functioning, mobility, and workplace productivity. When vision problems are not correctly diagnosed, they can interfere with activities such as reading, driving, and using a screen. Having eyes tested regularly can contribute to sustaining clear and comfortable sight, it can also lessen the occurrence of eye strain, and these benefits can be very productive over a long time, especially for working adults and the elderly.
