Healthy vision is about far more than simply seeing clearly, according to optometrist and low vision specialist Dr Mayanna Francis, who is urging Jamaicans to take a more proactive approach to eye health beyond Healthy Vision Month, recognised in May. Today, she shares with Lifestyle key tips on maintaining healthy vision.

“Health is never just about ‘one thing’, it is multifaceted. Similarly, healthy vision means more than just seeing clearly,” she explained. From a clinical standpoint, Francis said eye health refers to the full functioning of the visual system, not just visual clarity.

“This includes clear eyesight, healthy eye structures, good eye coordination, appropriate focusing ability, healthy eye pressure, and the absence of eye disease or damage. A person may still have ‘20/20 vision’ and yet have an underlying eye condition,” she said, stressing the importance of routine examinations.