'Proper eye care, food habits can prevent vision loss'

New Delhi, October 7 : Changes in food habits including alcohol consumption and smoking are among the leading causes of rising blindness, opthalmologists say. In a statement on the eve of World Sight Day, doctors said that with age, certain food habits and proper care of eyes has to be maintained, which otherwise cause weakening of eyesight, and even lead to blindness. “Many eye diseases have no early warning signs or symptoms, but a dilated exam can detect eye diseases in their early stages before vision loss occurs. One should avoid smoking as this makes the smoker more likely to get cataract, optic nerve damage, and macular degeneration,” said Mahipal S. Sachdev, chairman and medical director of Centre for Sight.

According to recent researches, India has eight million people suffering from eye problems. He said macular degeneration causes “blind spots” and often severely impairs central vision. People who smoke double their chance of forming cataract, and the risk continues to increase the more you smoke. Noting that four out of five patients suffering from eye problems were curable, Y.K Gupta of Safdarjung Hospital said lack of awareness on eye problems was the key issue.  (IANS)