New Delhi, April 15 -- When covid-19 confined millions to their homes, it exposed not just the vulnerabilities in public health systems but also in how we define wellness. Screens replaced classrooms, offices, and social lives. As anxiety spiked and routines collapsed, attention turned to sleep, mental health, and immunity. But in the recalibration of self-care, one crucial organ was overlooked: the eyes.

Now, a growing body of research suggests that vision health is far more than a matter of eyesight. It's an early warning system for chronic illness, a marker of neurological function, and a casualty of modern life. According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), global vision impairment is projected to rise...