Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 27: As India grapples with its growing diabetes epidemic, health experts are sounding the alarm over a lesser-known but devastating complication — diabetic retinopathy, now emerging as one of the country’s leading causes of vision loss. Ahead of World Retina Day, which is observed on the last Sunday of September, ophthalmologists warn that this condition often remains undetected until permanent vision damage has already set in.

“Diabetes is already an epidemic in India, and diabetic retinopathy is rapidly becoming a public health crisis,” said Dr. Praveen Vashist, Professor and Officer In-charge of Community Ophthalmology at AIIMS, New Delhi. He highlighted the urgency for early detection, given the silent progression of the disease.

Dr. Vishali Gupta, vice president of the Vitreo Retinal Society of India (VRSI) and Head of Retina at PGIMS, explained that persistent high blood sugar levels can gradually damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina — the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye — leading to diabetic retinopathy. Over time, this damage can cause fluid leakage, bleeding, swelling, and abnormal vessel growth, resulting in diabetic macular edema (DME), a major cause of vision impairment.

According to data from the National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey 2019, nearly 12% of Indians aged 50 and above are diabetic, and 17% of them suffer from diabetic retinopathy. Alarmingly, only 10% have ever had their retina examined — a gap in preventive care that experts say must be urgently addressed.

“Most patients don’t realise anything is wrong until their sight is already compromised,” said Dr. Gupta. “By then, the damage is often significant and in many cases, irreversible.”

Traditional treatments like laser therapy and anti-VEGF injections have long been used to manage DME. However, newer therapies — such as bispecific antibodies — are now offering more promise. These advanced treatments can simultaneously target multiple disease pathways, reduce inflammation, and control abnormal blood vessel growth, with fewer doses and longer-lasting results.

Dr. Gupta emphasized that such innovations are especially vital in India, where the diabetic population is rising rapidly. But treatment alone isn’t enough — awareness and early detection remain key. “The later the diagnosis, the lower the chance of preserving vision.”

Dr. Vashist added that integrating routine retinal screening into diabetes care should become standard practice. He proposed a national goal of achieving 80% screening coverage among diabetic individuals by 2030, as part of a broader effort to prevent avoidable blindness.

As World Retina Day approaches, experts are urging both the public and policymakers to act decisively. Without early intervention, diabetic retinopathy threatens not only eyesight but also independence, quality of life, and productivity for millions across the country.