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Vitreo Retinal Society of India (VRSI) and Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) have collaborated to formulate first-of-its-kind diabetic retinopathy screening guidelines, which will help every physician and diabetologist in India to educate their patients regarding diabetic retinopathy.
The guidelines are published in the International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries, as it serves as a comprehensive reckoner and mark a crucial milestone in India’s journey to advancing diabetes management and screening for Diabetic retinopathy effectively said VRSI and RSSDI.
Type -2 diabetes is common amongst the working-age population, impacting their physical and mental health. This condition if not screened timely can become the leading cause of blindness in India, causing a huge economic burden. With a national prevalence of 12.5% of diabetic retinopathy and 4% of vision-threatening ‘Diabetic Retinopathy’, approximately 3 million Indians are at a risk of vision loss.
This initiative aims to empower healthcare professionals often the first point of contact for those living with diabetes—with the tools and knowledge necessary to promote early detection and intervention, ultimately reducing the risk of severe vision impairment and blindness caused due to diabetic retinopathy.
Dr. Sudha Chandrashekar, former executive director, National Health Authority – ministry of health and family welfare, added, “To safeguard the vision of millions of Indians living with diabetes, diabetic retinopathy screening has been integrated into the government’s Ayushman Bharat scheme. By prioritizing early detection at a national level, this initiative aims to preserve eyesight and improve health outcomes across the country. Diabetic retinopathy screening is particularly beneficial for the beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) scheme, helping to avoid higher costs in the management of advanced stages of DR and ensuring better health outcomes.”
Dr R Kim, president, VRSI, said “By encouraging collaboration between physicians, diabetologists, and ophthalmologists, we aim to promote better diabetes management and reduce the incidence of preventable vision loss across the nation.”
Dr Manisha Agarwal, general secretary, VRSI, said, "Despite the increasing prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, 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 it imperative to raise awareness about vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy and the need for timely screening and management.”
"In India, the growing number of individuals living with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is one such complication that, if left untreated, can cause severe and often irreversible vision loss. These guidelines will play a key role in increasing awareness among general physicians and diabetologists about the critical need for timely diabetic retinopathy screening," stated Dr Sanjay Agarwal, secretary general, RSSDI.
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