Orbis India sees the need to advance preventive ophthalmic issues by incorporating eye screenings into primary healthcare.  This is because primary care is the first point of contact in the healthcare system for most people, making it an ideal setting for preventive interventions. There is an imminent need to include eye health into the national and regional primary healthcare policies with dedicated funding for vision screening and essential eye care services.
 
According to Dr Rishi Raj Borah, country director, Orbis India, there is no adequate provision of eye care at the primary level. Therefore, those who access specialized services at the secondary and tertiary level are diagnosed and treated. This leaves many cases of eye conditions undetected until they become severe.
 
Reportedly, India accounts to approximately 8 million blind people and 62 million visually impaired individuals, accounting for nearly a quarter of the global burden of blindness and vision impairment. Vision impairment and eye diseases represent a significant public health challenge, with wide-ranging social, economic, and health consequences. Integrating vision screening into routine check-ups allows for early identification and effective management of ocular diseases, he added.
 
Routine screenings enable the identification of treatable causes of blindness and common eye diseases before they can progress to severe vision loss or blindness, ultimately improving quality of life and reducing healthcare costs, he noted.
 
Regular vision checks reduce the prevalence of blindness. In some regions, blindness has already decreased significantly due to such interventions. The WHO estimates that 80% of all vision impairment globally is considered avoidable through prevention, early detection, and treatment. Comprehensive eye examinations can also reveal early signs of systemic conditions that affect the entire body, like diabetes and hypertension, which may not have obvious symptoms otherwise, said Dr Borah.
 
Also early intervention reduces the need for expensive treatments for advanced eye diseases and lowers the overall economic burden on healthcare systems. Training and capacity building are important components too.  Providing required education ensures medical professionals and health workers to conduct basic eye exams, recognize common conditions, and make appropriate referrals.
 
There is need for robust data collection systems to monitor the prevalence of eye conditions, track screening coverage, and evaluate program effectiveness. Also standardized screening protocols need to include visual acuity tests, automated refraction, and digital retinal imaging, tailored to the resources and needs of each setting.  These protocols should be evidence-based and regularly updated. Including eye health screenings into existing maternal and child health, diabetes, and elderly care programmes can maximize reach, said Dr Borah.
 
Leaders in healthcare, government, and community organizations, who play a pivotal role in integrating eye health into primary care, can navigate the challenges, such as limited financial resources,  need for specialized training, and logistical barriers in remote areas by prioritizing cost-effective, scalable solutions like task-shifting to trained non-specialist staff. Moreover, partnering with NGOs, private sector, and international agencies can supplement resources and expertise, said Dr Borah.