Early screening can detect serious eye concerns, prompt proactive intervention – Dr Shannon Da Silva

Regular eye examinations at every age and stage of life are important, and can aid in one’s vision being stronger and everlasting, according to Co-owner and Optometrist of Da Silva’s Optical, Dr. Shannon Da Silva.
On Thursday, Optometrist and Ophthalmologists from around the world celebrated World Sight Day under the theme “Love Your Eye”. This annual observance is geared at raising awareness and promoting good eye health, while advocating for regular screening.

Vision impairments are common, but the uncorrected vision or lack of treatment can result in cases of eventual blindness and faster progression of other life-threatening conditions, such as glaucoma.
According to the Centres for Disease Control, glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve, and can result in vision loss and even blindness. Open-angle glaucoma is said to be the most common form of this disease. It is caused by increased pressure on the eye, and often shows no symptoms, hence 50% of people with glaucoma don’t even know they have the disease.
While glaucoma can affect anyone, Da Silva emphasised, certain groups are high-risk, especially those with a family history.
“People may have 2020 vision, but glaucoma does not affect that aspect; it affects our side vision, and many of us don’t realise we are losing our side vision because, for day-to-day activities, we tend to use mostly our central vision”, she said.
Early screening and diagnoses are thus key in treating this incurable disease. High-risk patients who visited Da Silva’s Optical on Thursday were given a comprehensive dilated eye examination free of cost. This visual field test allows an Optometrist to diagnose glaucoma and refer a patient to an Ophthalmologist for further treatment, who can prescribe eye drops which can slow the progression of this detrimental disease.
Due to the high incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Guyana, diabetic retinopathy is among the most common eye-related illnesses faced by many Guyanese. This condition can develop in anyone who has type 1 or type 2 diabetes, especially those with uncontrolled sugar levels. Common symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include blurred vision, spots of dark strings floating in one’s vision, or what appears to be dark or empty areas in a person’s vision.
“With blood sugar levels being beyond the normal rate, bleeding at the back of the eye occurs, thereby causing damage to blood vessels in the retina (and), in some cases, irreparable damage to the human eyes”, Dr Shannon has cautioned. “While laser treatments for this disease have, over the years, brought some amount of relief to patients’ vision, we need to most importantly manage our blood glucose levels, and maintain healthy lifestyles by eating the right kinds of foods, such as fish, which is high in omega 3, and green leafy vegetables”, she advised.
In addition to the free glaucoma checks and free screening for all patients to commemorate World Sight Day, Da Silva’s Optical partnered with two orphanages to offer comprehensive eye examinations and free spectacles to those in need. The management of the orphanages applauded the efforts of the United Kingdom-trained Doctor Shannon DaSilva, who has not only gifted the children with better sight, but for deciding to remigrate to her country of birth some ten years ago to serve the people of Guyana.
“I wanted to take care of both the young and old this year, because eyesight affects everyone, and it’s such a precious organ for us to look after, especially in the age where technology has advanced and everyone spends so much time on devices…”, Da Silva has said.
Computer vision syndrome, commonly referred to as digital eye strain, is caused by prolonged use of a computer, tablet, or cell phone. She explained that extensive viewing on these devices makes the eye work harder, thereby making users susceptible to developing vision-related problems.
“We unknowingly slow down our blink rate when we are on these devices, and this encourages the eyes to become dry; and then the way the light enters our eye is different, because you have this blue light coming off the screens that can cause eye strain and even headaches”, she stressed.
The 20-20-20 Rule, however, can aid in reducing eye strain, she enlightened.
“For every 20 minutes spent using a screen, you should try to look away at an object that’s 20 feet away from you for a total of 20 seconds”, Da Silva counselled.
Da Silva, who describes herself as an advocate for good eye health, has said she is passionate about patient education, and will continue to use her platforms to share tips on how to care for the human eyes.
“Every day, when a patient sits in my chair, I always encourage them to eat healthily, stay active, stay informed, and be proactive with their health, as eye-related illness can affect anyone, regardless of age, sex, or gender”, she said.
Eye care professionals advise that people get an eye test done every two years. Those living with underlying conditions, such as diabetes, should check with their Optometrist as soon as possible should they experience any change in their vision.