Geriatric Eye Care: Safeguarding Vision and Quality of Life

As populations age and lifestyles change, eye care has emerged as a cornerstone of public health. Vision directly affects mobility, independence, cognition, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. Yet preventable blindness, delayed diagnoses, and rising digital eye strain continue to pose serious challenges, particularly for older adults and children.

The landscape, however, is rapidly evolving. AI is transforming screening and monitoring, robotic surgery is enhancing precision, domestic pharmaceuticals are improving affordability, and startups are developing advanced low-vision aids. At the same time, increased screen time and sedentary habits are creating new risks for ocular health.

In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World at the Illness to Wellness Conference on The Role of Geriatric Care in Promoting Healthy and Graceful Aging, Dr. Saurabh Choudhry, CEO of ICARE Eye Hospital, highlighted the critical role of eye care in geriatric health. He explored the major trends shaping eye care delivery in India, explained how AI is revolutionizing the field, discussed groundbreaking clinical advancements, and examined the impact of increased screen exposure on ocular health across all age groups.

Here are the key insights from his compelling discussion.

Q: How critical is eye care as a component of holistic geriatric healthcare delivery?

A: Several panellists noted that older adults face a 50% risk of falls. However, when visual impairment is present, that risk escalates dramatically, reaching as high as 92%. In other words, when an elderly patient cannot see clearly, the likelihood of falling increases substantially.

Therefore, vision care is not ancillary; it is fundamental. Vision underpins independence. Independence sustains physical activity. Physical engagement reduces the risk of depression. It prevents social isolation. It preserves cognitive function.

Protecting eyesight in older adults is not merely about correcting vision; it is about safeguarding mobility, dignity, mental health, and overall quality of life.

Q: What are the key trends shaping the evolution of eye care delivery in the country?

A: The outlook is increasingly promising in eye care. Researchers and clinicians are now aggressively addressing several causes of irreversible blindness, most notably diabetic retinopathy. This focus is critical, particularly in a country that carries one of the highest burdens of diabetes globally.

At the same time, technology is transforming early detection. AI-enabled screening systems now allow trained paramedical staff to capture high-resolution retinal images in community settings. These images are transmitted to ophthalmologists for expert evaluation and treatment planning. As a result, diagnosis becomes faster, outreach becomes wider, and intervention becomes timelier.

Moreover, the market is witnessing a surge in innovative low-vision aids. Advanced assistive devices, such as smart glasses equipped with vibration alerts and radar-based obstacle detection, as well as enhanced mobility canes, are redefining functional independence for the visually impaired. These tools do not merely compensate for vision loss; they restore confidence and mobility.

Equally significant is the progress in therapeutics. Treatments for age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), once prohibitively expensive, are now being manufactured domestically. Consequently, costs have fallen to nearly one-tenth of their previous levels, dramatically improving accessibility.

Taken together, these developments signal a structural shift, from late-stage management to proactive screening, technological empowerment, and affordable care.

Q: How are disruptive technologies such as AI reshaping the eye care ecosystem?

A: I would not describe AI as merely important; it must function as a strategic enabler. AI should complement, and strengthen the work already undertaken by clinicians and the broader healthcare industry. It must augment human judgment, not attempt to replace it.

With its continued evolution, AI will unlock new efficiencies in diagnosis, monitoring, and patient engagement. However, technology alone does not create impact. Many geriatric patients require these innovations but struggle to understand or access them. Therefore, our responsibility is clear: we must bring these solutions closer to them.

We must simplify interfaces. We must translate complexity into clarity. We must design systems that older adults can easily comprehend, trust, and adopt. Only then will AI move beyond innovation and become meaningful, patient-centered progress.

Q: What significant advancements are redefining clinical practice in eye care?

A: Several advanced modalities have emerged in ophthalmology, mirroring progress in other surgical disciplines. Robotic-assisted eye surgeries now enhance precision, reduce invasiveness, and improve surgical outcomes. These technologies are steadily redefining standards of care.

At the same time, pharmaceutical innovation has strengthened the eye care treatment landscape. Medications that were once imported at high cost are now manufactured domestically. This shift has improved both affordability and access.

Beyond surgery and drugs, assistive technology is advancing rapidly. Low-vision aids (LVAs) have evolved significantly, driven in part by Indian startups responding to unmet clinical needs. Notably, several of these innovations, ranging from telescopic visual aids to specialized computer-based assistive systems, are either unavailable or less accessible in many parts of the world. These tools empower individuals with low vision to function more independently and productively.

Collectively, these developments are not incremental, they are transformative. They are improving outcomes, expanding access, and restoring autonomy. The next imperative is clear: we must scale and mainstream their adoption to maximize their societal impact.

Q: How is increased screen exposure affecting ocular health across different age groups?

A: Screen exposure has become integral to modern life. Attempting to eliminate it is neither realistic nor economically viable. However, unmanaged screen use carries measurable ocular consequences. Therefore, we must regulate usage intelligently rather than resist it outright.

First, avoid prolonged, uninterrupted screen work. Continuous near focus strains the accommodative and convergence systems of the eye. To mitigate this, adopt the 20-20-20 rule: after every 20 minutes of screen time, pause for 20 seconds and focus on an object at least 20 feet away. This simple intervention relaxes the ciliary muscles, reduces digital eye strain, and restores visual comfort before resuming work.

In addition, incorporate convergence exercises. These strengthen the extraocular muscles responsible for sustained near vision and reduce the likelihood of fatigue, headaches, and blurred vision during extended device use.

The concern becomes more serious in children. Excessive screen exposure in early years is demonstrably harmful. It encourages prolonged near work, which correlates with the rising incidence of myopia. Handing devices to children, particularly as a substitute for feeding, calming, or engagement, creates unhealthy visual habits at a critical stage of ocular development. This practice must not be normalized.

Instead, prioritize outdoor activity. Natural light exposure and distance viewing are protective factors against myopia progression. Sunshine, physical movement, and reduced near work collectively support healthier visual development.