Eye Health First

We conclude the second year of the pandemic with residents of Espírito Santo resuming most of their activities. Work, school, leisure, and travel all show significant in-person growth in the state, even with the threat of a new variant of the coronavirus, Omicron, spreading in the region.

Also in the health sector, the demand for care is increasing, especially in cases where there is an evident manifestation of some symptoms. However, it is still below what is necessary in medical offices. In ophthalmology, the specialty where I work, many patients have not returned, not even to continue ongoing treatments.

And what is very serious: a part of the residents seems to have abandoned the important habit of periodic visits to the doctor, where exams are conducted to monitor the eyes and prevent a series of diseases that can be silent, diagnosed only through examinations. The lack of return is especially concerning because some eye diseases can lead to blindness if not treated in time.

I have examples in my office of patients with diagnosed glaucoma, who were undergoing treatment in the past, and who have not returned since the beginning of the pandemic. And this is very dangerous!

It is important for the patient to follow up correctly because if the disease progresses, the doctor can identify the problem and act quickly. But if they ignore or are unaware of the existence of the problem, do not measure intraocular pressure, do not conduct complementary exams to see if the glaucoma is under control, they risk undergoing a silent progression whose greatest risk is blindness.

Patients with diabetic retinopathy who are not taking care of themselves are also at risk of losing their vision. The ocular control for those with this condition is done through complementary exams such as vision measurements, fundus examinations, and monitoring changes related to diabetes. Therefore, it is important to visit the ophthalmologist to determine if more sophisticated complementary exams or vitreous injections are needed to reduce macular edema caused by diabetes, among others.

The ophthalmological check-up is also necessary for people with age-related macular degeneration. Patients with this problem who go without treatment develop a subretinal neovascular membrane and low vision. If they do not treat it in a timely manner, they also risk becoming blind.

Patients with dry eye syndrome can develop keratitis, meaning corneal wounds that, if untreated, can increase and form corneal ulcers, in addition to causing discomfort and eye pain or neuropathic origin.

Even a simple uncorrected glasses prescription can turn into a problem. A patient who is without glasses or has outdated ones may experience symptoms of visual fatigue and headaches.

Finally, it is also important to highlight the pandemic as an aggravating factor for eye diseases. In the last two years, we have spent more time in front of computer screens, tablets, and cell phones, at work, studying, and during leisure time, which has increased the incidence of dry eye syndrome, especially in children, a demographic previously unlikely to suffer from this type of ailment.

In the case of children and adolescents, who stayed home with online classes, in an indoor environment, if they go outside without getting some sunlight, in addition to dry eye syndrome, there has also been an increase in cases of myopia.

In 2022, therefore, include periodic consultations in your New Year's resolutions. The ocular check-up is an important ally in preventing a series of diseases, some silent and incurable.