All you need to know about Diabetic Retinopathy this World Diabetes Day
All you need to know about Diabetic Retinopathy this World Diabetes Day
n India, over 77 million people are living with diabetes[1] and an estimated 18% of diabetics suffer from diabetic retinopathy (DR).[2] Despite these alarming numbers, awareness about severe and irreversible consequences of diabetes such as Diabetes Retinopathy (DR) is dismal in India.
DR is a leading cause of vision loss in working (20-65 years) adults, and globally, 1 out of every 3 diabetic patients tend to develop Diabetic Macular Edema (DME). Routine eye screening, especially for diabetics and the elderly, is key to enabling timely diagnosis and disease management. On being diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, it is important to adhere to the treatment and maintain a healthy lifestyle to effectively manage diabetes and to prevent the progression of eye diseases.
Dr. Mahesh P. Shanmugam, Head Vitreo Retina & Ocular Oncology, Sankara Eye Foundation India, said, “Young adults developing diabetes may have double the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. It is preferable not to wait for symptoms to occur in diabetics, cause by the time symptoms occur, the disease may be reasonably advanced. The earlier we diagnose and start treating, better are the chances of maintaining good vision. It is best to start eye check-up as soon as diabetes is detected, particularly in type 2 diabetics. The frequency of eye check-up in initial stages of diabetes can be limited to once a year. A frequent check-up is required with people suffering from longer duration of diabetes or in special circumstances such as pregnancy.”
Signs that diabetes is affecting your eyes:
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to several eye related diseases such as DR, cataract which is the formation of a film on the eye lens and glaucoma which can damage your optic nerve. Diabetes can either make you highly vulnerable to ocular diseases or lead you to develop one at a younger age.
One must be alert and visit an Ophthalmologist or a Retina specialist immediately in case of any of these symptoms:
- Blurred or fuzzy or distorted vision
- Impaired colour vision
- Decreased contrast or colour sensitivity
- Experiencing dark spots in vision
- Straight lines that appear wavy or crooked
- Difficulty seeing at a distance
- Gradual Vision loss[10]
World Diabetes Day, celebrated on November 14th, marks an opportunity to raise awareness of the growing, preventable burden of diabetes-related retinal diseases. This can drive timely care in the form of early diagnosis and disease management, so patients can avoid preventable blindness.
