with over 101 million people diabetes In India, the country has emerged as the diabetes capital of the world. As a result, a simultaneous and sharp increase in the prevalence of preventable vision loss related to diabetes has been observed. A diabetologist plays an important role in timely diagnosing diabetic retinopathy and referring to an ophthalmologist for its management. Vitreo Retinal Society of India (VRSI) and Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) recently collaborated and launched the first of its kind. diabetic retinopathy screening Guidelines, which will help every physician and diabetologist in India to educate their patients about diabetic retinopathy.

Due to changes in lifestyle, migration to cities, obesity and stress, the number of diabetic patients in the country has increased, as well as the number of cases of diabetes-related vision loss. Type-2 diabetes is common in the working-age population, impacting their physical and mental health. If not diagnosed timely, this condition can become a major cause of blindness in India, causing huge economic burden. With a national prevalence of 12.5 per cent diabetic retinopathy and 4 per cent vision-threatening ‘diabetic retinopathy’, nearly 3 million Indians are at risk of vision loss. This shows the vital need for timely screening of every diabetic patient to prevent irreversible loss of vision, which may go undetected in the early stages and is thus known as the ‘silent thief of vision’.

The initiative aims to empower health care professionals – who are often the first point of contact for people living with diabetes – with the tools and knowledge needed to promote early detection and intervention, ultimately reducing the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Reducing the risk of severe vision loss and blindness.

Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Guidelines for Clinicians in India:

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus:

An initial eye examination is recommended 5 years after diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus:

An initial eye examination is recommended at the time of diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

Pregnancy in patients with diabetes mellitus:

– Eye examination before pregnancy and during the first trimester.

– Follow-up should be individualized depending on the severity and recent changes in retinopathy.

Severity of diabetic retinopathy:- No apparent DR: Annual fundus photo screening in physician clinic.

– Any evidence of DR or DME: immediate referral to an ophthalmologist.

Dr. Sudha Chandrashekhar, former Executive Director, National Health Authority – Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said, “To protect 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 the national level, the initiative aims to preserve eyesight and improve health outcomes across the country. Diabetic retinopathy screening is particularly beneficial for beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) scheme, helping to avoid high costs in managing advanced stages of DR and ensuring better health outcomes.

Dr. R Kim, President, VRSI, commented, “We are pleased to collectively unveil these guidelines and set a new standard for diabetic retinopathy screening in India. 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 country.

Highlighting the importance of diabetic retinopathy screening, Dr. Manisha Agarwal, Secretary General, VRSI, said, “Despite the increasing prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, the number of individuals diagnosed with diabetes remains disappointingly low due to limited awareness and the often asymptomatic nature of the condition ” Screening It is important to increase awareness about vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy and the need for timely screening and management.

“In India, the increasing number of individuals suffering from diabetes highlights the importance of not only monitoring glucose levels but also getting regular checkups done for other health complications associated with diabetes to maintain overall health. Retinopathy is a complication that, if left untreated, can lead to serious and often irreversible vision loss. These guidelines help raise awareness among general practitioners and diabetes specialists about the critical need for timely diabetic retinopathy screening. Will play an important role,” said Dr. Sanjay Aggarwal, General Secretary, RSSDI.

Published in the renowned International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries, the guidelines are an important milestone in India’s journey to advance diabetes management and effectively screen diabetic retinopathy.

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