Responding to the pandemic calls for all hands on deck. Whether a healthcare worker on the frontlines or social distancing to keep neighbors and loved ones safe, we all have a role to play. But now, a secondary threat has emerged just below the surface. If we overlook our other medical needs — like taking care of our vision — during the pandemic, the consequences can be serious.
In the United States, we’re seeing how missed routine eye exams can lead to blinding conditions not being caught early enough to treat them, or how halted school screenings can lead to children’s vision problems going undetected. For many vulnerable communities around the world, the effects are even more dire.