Hyderabad Dr Agarwal's Eye Hospital is conducting free eye checkup camp for women of all age groups across all branches in Telangana till March 31, 2022 in commemoration of International Women's Day. Patients can register for free eye checkup at Mobile No. 9619334129.

The hospital has made special arrangements for screening for certain eye diseases and disorders that women are at a higher risk of getting, and the prevalence rate of which has seen a rise among women in recent times. Such issues include age-related macular degeneration, ocular manifestations of autoimmune diseases, cataract, dry eye, glaucoma, low vision, thyroid eye diseases, and refractive errors.

The hospital will also conduct awareness sessions on the steps women have to take to minimize the risks of eye diseases that arise from factors exclusive to them: hormonal surges during pregnancy, menopause, and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, among others.

Dr Ayyagari Aparna, Senior Consultant, Ophthalmologist, Dr Agarwal's Eye Hospital, said, "Biological sex differences does affect ocular structure, gene expression, tear composition and output, and other functions of eye that influence eye health. Hence, regular eye examinations are doubly important for women. They should also consult doctors about taking nutritional supplements. Women should wear UV-blocking sunglasses and brimmed hats when they venture out. They must exercise caution and follow hygiene practices while using eye cosmetics and contact lenses safely to avoid eye infections."

On the connection between pregnancy and eye diseases, she said that during pregnancy, the body tends to hold more water. This can thicken the cornea and alter the front surface of the eye. These changes affect how eyes refract light and cause vision problems. The eye pressure too can decrease slightly during this period. Pregnant women could develop gestational diabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels become high during pregnancy, and some may develop diabetic retinopathy, vision issues caused by damage to blood vessels in the eye. Pregnancy can also cause dry eyes, and light sensitivity. Hormones in birth control pills can cause vascular changes, indirectly contributing to vision problems.

On the connection between eye health and menopause, Dr Aparna said that menopause and perimenopause, the time when the body makes the natural transition to menopause, usually accompany a dip in estrogens, a group of hormones. Estrogens keep the cornea, the eye's clear, protective outer layer, flexible so it can focus light better. When estrogens drop, the oil glands in the eye produce less lubrication, causing dry eyes and blurry vision. Studies find that for individuals over 50 years, women are twice as likely to have dry eyes compared to men.

She hoped that the month-long eye checkup and awareness campaign of the hospital throughout Telangana would make women aware of the risks, better informed and would result in early diagnosis and early intervention for better eye health outcomes.