Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital conducts free eye checkup for women

Mumbai, March 6, 2023: In commemoration of International Women’s Day celebrated worldwide on the 8th of March, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, one of India’s largest networks of eye hospitals, is conducting free eye checkup camp for women of all age groups across all branches in Mumbai till March 31. 

 
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 ocular manifestations of autoimmune diseases, dry eye, low vision, thyroid eye diseases, and refractive errors. Dr Agarwals Group of Eye Hospitals has also launched their new state-of-the-art Eye Hospital in Chembur.
 

Dr. Nita A Shah, Head - Clinical Services, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, Chembur, Mumbai, said, “Biological sex differences affect ocular structure, gene expression and other functions of eye that influence eye health. 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.”
 

Menopause and perimenopause, the time when the body makes the natural transition to menopause, usually accompany a dip in estrogens, a group of hormones. When estrogens drop, the oil glands in the eye produce less lubrication, causing dry eyes and blurry vision.
 

“About 80% of those affected by autoimmune issues are women. Eye inflammation is one of the many possible effects of autoimmune diseases such as lupus, psoriasis, Reiter’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and uveitis. Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder, which results in overproduction of the thyroid hormone affects more women than men. Thyroid eye diseases affect 16 in 100,000 women, while only 3 in the male population of equal size” added Dr. Nita A Shah.
 

Dr Agarwals Eye 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. The month-long eye checkup and awareness campaign of the hospital throughout Mumbai would make women aware of the risks, better informed and would result in early diagnosis and early intervention for better eye health outcomes.