Avoid preventable vision loss

Apr 26, 2021 | Jennifer O'Hara | @jenohara

Has your eyesight become blurry? Do you have glaucoma, but you haven't been in for an exam or treatment? Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many people may have delayed eye appointments.

Dr. Cheryl Khanna, a Mayo Clinic ophthalmologist, says it's important to catch eye diseases early.

"I think the main take-home message is that if you have decreased vision, if you have an ocular disease, it is safe to come to Mayo Clinic and receive care," says Dr. Khanna. "And if you postpone treatment, there may be irreversible vision loss."

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Khanna expands on the importance of eye care and how artificial intelligence is helping develop individual treatments for patients. She also talks about minimally invasive glaucoma procedures and newly emerging cataract technologies. And she describes several clinical trials that are underway — such as gene therapy trials for macular degeneration and retinal dystrophies.

To practice safe social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, this interview was conducted using video conferencing. The sound and video quality are representative of the technology used. For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in an area not designated for patient care, where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.