Early Diabetic Retinopathy Detection Remains a Challenge

The Vitreo Retinal Society of India (VRSI) and the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) have formulated a first-of-its kind diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening guideline to help physicians and diabetologists in India educate their patients about DR.

- Dr Manbeena Chawla

With a national prevalence of 12.5 per cent of DR & 4 per cent of vision-threatening DR, approximately 3 million Indians are at risk of vision loss. This highlights the critical need for timely screening of every patient with diabetes to prevent an irreversible loss of vision, which goes undetected in its early stage & is thus aptly known as a ‘silent thief of sight.’

Despite the increasing prevalence of DR, limited awareness and the often-asymptomatic nature of the condition result in a disappointingly low number of individuals with diabetes seeking eye screenings. This makes raising awareness about vision loss due to DR and the need for timely screening and management imperative.

On the global front, earlier this year, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) came up with a policy brief to target advocates, healthcare professionals and policymakers in diabetes and eye health. According to their recommendation, there is a need to promote and fund a global research agenda for diabetes and DR that includes health systems, technological innovation and research to maximise the impact of the research into practice.