Diabetic retinopathy is emerging as a leading cause of vision loss in India, often going undetected until significant damage has occurred. This condition arises when prolonged high blood sugar levels damage the small blood vessels in the retina, leading to potential vision impairment.
According to the National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey 2019, nearly 12% of individuals aged 50 and above have diabetes, with approximately 17% of them developing diabetic retinopathy. Alarmingly, only about 10% of diabetic patients have ever undergone a retinal examination, highlighting a significant gap in early detection and preventive care.
The disease can progress silently in its early stages, with symptoms becoming noticeable only after substantial damage has occurred. If left untreated, it can lead to diabetic macular edema, a condition that threatens vision.
Experts emphasize the importance of regular eye check-ups as a routine part of diabetes care. Advancements in treatment, such as bispecific antibodies, offer hope by targeting multiple disease pathways simultaneously, helping reduce inflammation, control abnormal vessel growth, and preserve vision for longer durations with fewer treatments.