Primary eye care (PEC) promotes overall eye Health among people of different age groups. It includes preventing potential eye diseases or blindness through Primary health Care (PHC). Optometrists identify the diseases and prescribe treatment or referral to persons who have a better chance of recovery from blindness and common eye diseases. The main objectives of PHC are to involve the community and concentrate on the prevention and application of technology n primary eye care in Miami. 

Primary eye care involves 

• Educating people about eye health issues
• Identifying symptoms
• Visual acuity measurement 
• Basic Eye Examination 
• Eye diagnosis
• Timely referral

Principles of Primary Health Care:

Following are the fundamental aspects of the primary health care that includes:

• Educating people about maintaining and promoting a healthy vision.
•  Performing a thorough examination of the visual system.
• Screening for eye diseases and conditions that impact vision and which might be asymptomatic.
• Recognizing and finding ocular manifestations of diseases and the systematic impact of ocular medications.
• Performing diagnoses of any defective abnormalities.
• Fitting and prescribing optical aids like glasses and contact lenses.
• Making adequate treatment plans and fulfilling patients’ eye care needs with adequate therapies.
• Counselling and educating patients about their eye disease conditions.
• Managing systematic impacts of drug therapy.
• Determine when to send the patients for specialized care.
• Conducting surgery when needed. 

What is the role of a primary eye care physician?

The main objective of a primary eye care specialist is to observe and assess many visual signs, symptoms, or concerns that patients present. The main role is to discover and discern the abnormal states, and diagnose disease conditions, related medical conditions, and symptoms for any possibility of eye disease. Primary eye care physicians also coordinate with other physicians and health care professions to meet health care needs. The main objective involves interacting and consulting with other physicians, and health care professionals. The duty of an opthalmologist also involves diagnoses and finding the solution to many ocular problems from the moment of first contact. 

Timely referral

It is found that correct identification and timely referral are imperative to the success of PEC. Accurate diagnoses are also imperative for both treatment and referral, as a main proportion of misdiagnoses can lead to poor quality service. 

Regular eye examination 

A regular eye examination is very important as with it eye optometrist can find out many underlying symptoms or conditions like retinal detachment, development of cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Other serious health issues like hypertension, diabetes, etc, can also impact visual function. PEC ensures people are aware of their eye health and adopt precautionary measures. PEC workers can stress the importance of diminished vision and the requirement for modern surgery. 

Importance of Primary Eye Care for Integration in the Health Care System

Primary eye care is not considered a stand-alone activity but requires integration into existing primary health care systems. Though as per reports not many have to face ocular morbidity, it is just enough to allocate resources to PEC. Eye health at the primary level is not as expensive but has better returns than primary health care in general. It is easy to set up a primary eye center than a primary health center. 

Respective authorities can also create a hub where health activities are carried out with coordinated efforts. 

Causes of blindness that can be prevented: 

Recently there are approximately more than 140 million children all over the world who are facing active trachoma which could be prevented if there is proper supply and sanitation. Collaborative efforts of health workers, engineers, and environmental officers can help in better control of trachoma. It also impacts poor, disadvantaged communities, and to meet this objective community participation is important. 

Estimation is that around 500,000 children get blind every year, and the majority of them are from corneal scarring due to Vitamin A deficiency, measles, or the use of traditional eye medicines. These issues are highly preventable if the underlying causes are addressed through PHC. 

Treatable Blindness Condition 

There are many eye diseases if detected early can be cured. Conditions like cataracts can be treated with appropriate surgery. In Western nations, diabetic retinopathy is a cause of preventable blindness among people of working age. To prevent blindness doctors refer to photocoagulation. Also, around 13.5 million people all over the world are impacted by glaucoma. These individuals require to be referred for treatment to prevent blindness. Primary care is essential to prevent blindness and overcome various eye diseases in communities.

Florida Eye Care Associates is one of the leading eye care centers in Miami where patients can ensure they will proper Eyecare Miami. You will find the best eye doctors for ensuring medical examination eye care services. The services include but are not limited to Diabetic eye examination, Keratoconus screenings, Retinal exams, dry eye testing, Drivers license testing, red-eye exams, allergy screening, etc. So, all you will get is the best eye care.