Diabetes can lead to cases of irreversible vision loss, says Dr. Ajay Dudani, CEO Vitreoretinal Surgeon, Mumbai retina centre

According to the World Health Organization, globally, 3.9 million people suffer from moderate or severe distance vision impairment or blindness due to diabetic retinopathy, a diabetes complication that affects eyes, that can lead to blindness. India is known as the diabetes capital of the world. With over 137 million people experiencing near vision loss, and 79 million suffering from visual impairments, it is important to raise awareness on the health risks one can be susceptible to, while suffering from diabetes.

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Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a diabetes-related complication that affects eyes, that is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue or the retina. As the condition progresses, diabetes patients might develop spots or experience dark strings floating in vision, blurred or fluctuating vision, dark or empty areas in vision or vision loss. There are two types of diabetic retinopathy: early diabetic retinopathy and advanced diabetic retinopathy. In early diabetic retinopathy, new blood vessels fail to grow or proliferate. In advanced diabetic retinopathy, damaged blood vessels close off, causing the growth of new, abnormal blood vessels in the retina.

For a diabetes patient, early diagnosis for this disease is crucial to prevent vision loss and delayed diagnosis can exacerbate the condition. This may result in further complications, such as irreversible blindness.

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

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It is not easy for people with diabetes to recognise symptoms in the early stages of the disease. When the visual acuity in one eye suffers, the other eye typically compensates. As a result, the complication can go unnoticed. Routine eye check-ups are thus essential for timely detection.

While every person with diabetes is at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, a person who has 10 years of diabetic history has a 50% probability of developing diabetic retinopathy. Therefore, people living with prolonged diabetes should undertake retinal screening every year to keep their eye health in check.

It can be effectively managed with early detection and timely treatment. Modern medical treatment protocols can slow or even stop the progression of diabetic retinopathy, thus preventing vision loss in people with diabetes. However, for diabetic patients, managing their diabetes through effective management of blood glucose levels is the best prevention for diabetic retinopathy.

This World Diabetes Day, falling on 14th November, it is important to strive towards the prevention of blindness and visual impairment owing to diabetes complications.

The theme for 2021 is ‘Access to diabetes care.’ Given the delays in accessing timely care, follow-ups, screening, and interventions due to the pandemic and low awareness, retinal diseases have been diagnosed at advanced stages, and treatment adherence has suffered. With raised awareness, early screening can be prompted. People suffering from diabetes for five or more years must especially be encouraged to consult an ophthalmologist to protect their eyes.