Guidelines Aim to Reduce Alarming 12.5% Diabetic Retinopathy Prevalence
Swapnil R Mishra
For the first time screening guidelines for diabetic retinopathy were released on October 10. According to doctors, a person can face severe and often irreversible vision loss if diabetic retinopathy is left untreated.?
However these guidelines will play a key role in increasing awareness among general physicians and diabetologists about the critical need for timely diabetic retinopathy screening.
Dr Sanjay Agarwal, secretary general of, the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) believes that there is a need for guidelines as many of them are unaware of its side effects and have vision loss.
“These guidelines will increase awareness amongst the general physicians and Diabetologists and will also play a major role in understanding the critical need for screening diabetic retinopathy.”
However, these screening guidelines have been formulated after the collaboration of RSSDI along with the Vitreo Retinal Society of India (VRSI). All this will help doctors educate their patients and aware them of the importance of screening for diabetic retinopathy.
Recent guidelines emphasize the importance of screening for diabetic retinopathy at the time of Type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Early detection can prevent vision impairment and promote timely treatment. For children with Type 1 diabetes, start screening for diabetic retinopathy at age 11, after 2-5 years of living with diabetes, as per the International Society of Paediatric and adolescent diabetes (ISPAD) guidelines.
As many as three million Indians are at risk of vision loss with a national prevalence of 12.5 diabetic retinopathy and four per cent vision-threatening ‘Diabetic Retinopathy’.
“The statistics are alarming as it highlights the importance of regular screening which is crucial for preventing vision loss and detecting early signs of diabetic retinopathy,” said doctors.
Dr Agrawal said that this is a major step which will help in breaking down barriers to DR care and a comprehensive initiative to Educate, Equip, and Empower Healthcare Professionals as they are the first point of contact for those living with diabetes.
Early evaluation of diabetic retinopathy risk is essential for women with diabetes planning to conceive, enabling timely interventions and optimal pregnancy outcomes. For pregnant women with diabetes, regular diabetic retinopathy screenings are vital to monitor retinal health and prevent vision complications.
