Chennai, 14 November 2023: “India is home to the second largest diabetic population, next only to China. There are 420 million people who are diagnosed with diabetes in the world – 90 million of them have diabetic retinopathy. Over 2.5% of all blindness in the world is caused by diabetic retinopathy.
“Regular screening and early detection of the risks or the disorder can help crores of Indians either to prevent or manage diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented, or its onset can be delayed with a few lifestyle changes and healthy eating.” Keeping blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol in control; reducing weight, having good food, regular exercise, and leading a stress-free life can go a long way in diabetic patients preserving vision,” said Dr. Triveni, Senior Consultant, General Ophthalmology, and Cataract Surgeon, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, Chennai.
In view of the theme of “Access to Diabetes Care” of the World Diabetes Day, 2023, which falls on November 14, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital is organizing a two-week long free ophthalmic consultation in the city for diabetic patients who are 50 years or above, from November 14. The hospital offers consulting services also to people of all age groups by charging only 50% of the fee. For Registration:95949 24048
In a media statement, Dr. Triveni said that diabetic retinopathy leads to abnormal growth of blood vessels in the eyes, and affects the vision by causing internal bleeding, blocking of fluids, damaging retina and optic nerves, and even displacing retina. According to a recent study, Spectrum of Eye Disorders in Diabetes (SPEED), 2020, about 32% of the diabetics have diabetic retinopathy. Considering that India is home to close to 80 million diabetes patients, about 25 million people must have diabetic retinopathy. “However, a vast portion of diabetics population do not go for eye checkups because there is not enough awareness that diabetes could affect eyes as much as it does heart or kidney. Also, diabetic retinopathy can remain free of symptoms initially.
Dr Triveni said that patients of Type 1 Diabetes (juvenile diabetes) must do eye screening for diabetic retinopathy every year, starting from the fifth year of the diagnosis of diabetes, and patients of Type 2 Diabetes must do eye checkup every year after the diagnosis of diabetes. Patients of both types of diabetes must consult the doctor when they have any vision issues immediately. The symptoms could include blurred vision and floating of dark spots or strings in the vision. When these are not treated immediately, it could lead to permanent loss of vision.”
She added that diabetic retinopathy can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination of retina and macula. Treatment of diabetic retinopathy includes laser surgery to seal leaking blood vessels, injection of medications into the eyes to decrease inflammation, and surgical procedure to remove and replace the gel-like fluid in the back of the eye or to repair a retinal detachment.
Claiming 1.5 million lives every year, diabetes is a leading cause of death globally. Over 2.5% of all blindness in the world is caused by diabetic retinopathy. The prevalence of diabetes is high in Southeast Asia – where about 17% of the population are diabetics. This number is expected to increase to 19% by 2030. It can go to 134 million by 2045, according to a report of the International Diabetic Federation.
