Journal of Eye Diseases and Disorders

Eye Health is Public Health: Why Vision Deserves More Attention

Malcolm Riedel^* Department of Ophthalmic Health, Callingsworth University, Bristol, United Kingdom
^*Correspondence: Malcolm Riedel, Department of Ophthalmic Health, Callingsworth University, Bristol, United Kingdom, Email:

Received: 01-Sep-2025, Manuscript No. JEDD-25-30065; Editor assigned: 03-Sep-2025, Pre QC No. JEDD-25-30065 (PQ); Reviewed: 17-Sep-2025, QC No. JEDD-25-30065; Revised: 24-Sep-2025, Manuscript No. JEDD-25-30065 (R); Published: 01-Oct-2025, DOI: 10.35248/2684-1622.25.10.294

Description

For most people, eyesight is the one sense they fear losing the most. Yet ironically, conversations around eye care remain limited in both public health discussions and healthcare planning. Conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy continue to affect millions around the world, yet they receive far less attention than cardiovascular disease, cancer, or even dental health. This gap in attention is not just a matter of perception-it directly affects how services are prioritized, how funding is allocated, and how people understand the value of preventive care for their eyes.

One of the major problems in how society views vision loss is the mistaken belief that it is either inevitable or easily corrected. Glasses and contact lenses may give the impression that all visual problems have simple solutions. But not all conditions can be corrected with lenses. In fact, many common disorders slowly impact eyesight over time, with no early symptoms. Glaucoma, for instance, can quietly erode peripheral vision while leaving central vision unaffected until the damage is advanced. By the time most people notice a problem, it is often too late to reverse the damage.

Public health efforts have long been focused on illnesses that cause direct mortality. Eye diseases, by contrast, may not be fatal, but their effect on quality of life is significant. A person who loses vision may become dependent on others, struggle with employment, or face isolation. Depression is common among those with significant visual impairment, especially when support systems are lacking. In a world designed largely for people who see well, those who do not often find themselves pushed to the margins, not only physically but socially.

Access to care remains another barrier. In many countries, eye care is treated as a separate field outside of regular health systems. This division often results in reduced funding, fewer outreach programs, and limited integration with general medical services. In rural or underserved regions, a lack of trained professionals means that even treatable conditions may progress unchecked. Cataracts, which can often be corrected through a relatively simple surgical procedure, continue to blind millions simply because people cannot afford care or reach a clinic.

Even in higher-income countries, disparities remain. Those with limited income may avoid seeing an eye care provider unless symptoms are severe. Vision screenings are often not part of routine adult check-ups, and insurance plans may separate vision from overall health, adding further complications. This creates a cycle where early detection is missed, more invasive treatments are needed later, and outcomes are worse than they could have been with earlier attention.

What is needed is a shift in how eye health is viewed—not as a niche specialty, but as an integral part of general health and wellbeing. Schools should include regular vision checks as part of standard health assessments. Adults should be encouraged to receive routine eye exams, even when no symptoms are present. Employers could support better eye care by recognizing the strain caused by prolonged screen time and offering regular assessments to workers. Policy makers should also recognize that access to vision care is as important as any other form of health care.

The wider implications of untreated visual impairment cannot be ignored. Economic productivity, education outcomes, social inclusion, and even safety are all affected when vision is compromised. An individual who cannot see well is more likely to experience accidents, lose job opportunities, or fall behind in school. Vision is not a luxury. It is a foundation for participation in nearly every aspect of life.

Conclusion

Until vision is treated with the same seriousness as other chronic health conditions, too many people will continue to live with avoidable blindness or impairment. Health systems, educators, employers, and governments all have roles to play in changing how vision care is approached. Early action, greater access, and sustained attention can make a meaningful difference—not only to individuals but to communities as a whole.