<a href="https://healthylife7.com/more-than-600000-people-in-uk-unable-to-work-due-to-obesity-study-finds/” title=”More than 600,000 people in UK unable to work due to obesity, study finds”>More than meets the eye
Published July 18, 2026 at 4:00 PM EDT
Ariel Davis for NPR
Routine eye exams may do far more than detect the need for a new pair of glasses. An ophthalmologist explains how eye exams can reveal early signs of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other serious health conditions. He also discusses why many people unknowingly adapt to declining vision, why glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” and how advances in laser cataract surgery, minimally invasive glaucoma treatments and artificial intelligence are reshaping eye care
Guest: Dr. Rajesh Shetty, ophthalmologist, eye surgeon and managing partner of Florida Eye Specialists
Clarifying symptoms
Red, itchy or watery eyes can often be dismissed as seasonal allergies, but those symptoms can also signal dry eye disease, infection or other conditions requiring very different treatment plans. Dr. Joe Sirven speaks with an optometrist about how to recognize the warning signs of common eye conditions and when it’s time to stop consulting the web and seek professional medical care. She explains how self-diagnosis can sometimes make symptoms worse, offers guidance on choosing over-the-counter eye drops and shares practical advice for protecting eye health.
Guest: Dr. Kimberly Riordan, optometrist, Florida Eye Specialists
