Diabetic retinopathy is on the rise: How India can prevent a vision crisis: Expert explains

India is known as the “Diabetes capital of the world.” With more than 101 million people living with diabetes in our country, this number is expected to reach 125 million by 2045. The constant increase in diabetes cases is attributed to lifestyle modifications, such as sedentary work, increased stress levels and comorbid conditions such as obesity and hypertension. Not only lifestyle changes but also ever-changing environmental patterns, such as increasing pollution levels in cities, have also proven to be a key contributor to this condition. A healthy diet plays a crucial role in diabetes control. Timely meals with a balanced diet are key to maintaining healthy sugar levels. An unhealthy lifestyle can lead to poor diabetes control, which in turn leads to more rapid progression of diabetes. diabetic retinopathy.

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an eye condition that can cause vision loss and blindness in people with diabetes. It affects the blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye).

Dr Manisha Agarwal, general secretary of Vitreo Retinal Society of India, explains that diabetic retinopathy is common among the working-age population and affects their physical and mental health. If not detected early, this condition can become the leading cause of blindness in India, causing a huge economic burden.

With a national prevalence of 12.5 per cent of diabetic retinopathy and 4 per cent of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (VTDR), approximately 3 million Indians are at risk of vision loss. This shows the critical need for timely DR testing in all patients with diabetes to prevent irreversible vision loss, which goes unnoticed in its early stage and is therefore known as a “silent thief of sight.” “.

The Vitreo Retinal Society of India (VRSI) recently collaborated with the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) to launch national guidelines for diabetic retinopathy screening. According to the guidelines, the duration of diabetes is an important risk factor for the onset of diabetic retinopathy and its progression is influenced by the state of metabolic control.

Diabetic retinopathy screening guidelines:

Diabetes mellitus type 1:

The initial eye examination is recommended 5 years after diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus type 2:

An initial eye examination is recommended at the time of diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Pregnancy in patients with diabetes mellitus:

– For women with diabetes who plan to conceive, it is essential to evaluate their risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Therefore, it is recommended that they undergo their first screening for diabetic retinopathy before conception. Additionally, it is recommended that these women undergo a follow-up exam during the first trimester of pregnancy to monitor any changes in the health of their retina.

Severity of diabetic retinopathy:

– Without apparent DR: Annual photographic examination of the fundus at the Doctor’s clinic.

– Any evidence of DR or DME: immediate referral to an ophthalmologist.

Please note: DME: diabetic macular edema

“In India, the increasing number of people living with diabetes shows the importance of not only controlling glucose levels but also undergoing regular screening for other health complications associated with diabetes to maintain overall health. Diabetic retinopathy is one of those complications that, if left untreated, can cause severe and often irreversible vision loss. These guidelines will play a key role in raising awareness among general practitioners and diabetologists about the critical need for timely screening. of diabetic retinopathy,” said Dr. Sanjay Agarwal, General Secretary of RSSDI.