New Delhi: Diabetes is the leading health burden in India, with at least 21 million of the estimated 101 million people living with diabetes in the country having vision problems. According to a study led by some doctors in the United Kingdom and India has revealed that out of 101 million, 2.4 million are blind. Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye condition, that, if not treated, may cause temporary or permanent loss of eyesight. Among them, the most frequent reason is diabetic retinopathy which damages the blood vessels of the retina a light-sensitive canvas at the rear end of the eyeball.
Dr Anjal Shah, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Cataract & Refractive Surgeon, shared with News9, “When it appears, diabetic retinopathy usually does so without warning, so eye care must not be neglected. A person with diabetes should have an ophthalmic examination, including dilation, at least once a year. Prevention is always easier than cure; even before complications appear, one can discover changes due to diabetes retinopathy and take effective measures.”
Preventive tips to follow
“When it comes to prevention or delay in the development of diabetic retinopathy, managing diabetes emerges as the fundamental option. It consists of controlling blood glucose, being active, eating healthy, and taking medicines as prescribed. A1C levels, which represent the average blood glucose levels for the past three months, should also be measured frequently. Achieving A1C level targets will contribute to a decreased likelihood of diabetic retinopathy,” noted Dr Shah.
It must also be understood that diabetic retinopathy is not the only eye disease which can be a worry for those diabetes patients. Apart from the retinal damage, diabetes also puts patients at risk of cataracts and open-angle glaucoma which are two other inventions. Knowing these risk factors stresses the need for having regular eye checks along with the management of diabetes.
Risk factors
For those who still suffer from diabetic retinopathy, anti-VEGF injections or laser therapy and surgery are among the available interventions which inhibit any further vision loss. Anytime these forms of medical care are considered; the damage already sustained is likely to remain unchanged.
Owning the disease that is diabetes also translates to owning your eyesight. There is also a need to have routine eye examinations to control one’s health and therefore preserve vision with a decent standard of living.
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye condition, that, if not treated, may cause temporary or permanent loss of eyesight. Among them, the most frequent reason is diabetic retinopathy which damages the blood vessels of the retina a light-sensitive canvas at the rear end of the eyeball. Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
