World Diabetes Day 2021: Expert advice for people with diabetes to avoid retinal damage

Diabetes is a growing health problem in India, with over 77 million people affected by the disease. Experts have also warned that the number is expected to rise to 134 million by 2045. Diabetes is characterized by too much glucose in the blood, which can damage any system or organ in the body, including the eyes. . As the disease progresses, it can damage the body’s blood vessels, including the retina. Diabetic retinopathy is any disorder of the retina that results from diabetes. According to a survey, the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in India is around 16.9%.

“Diabetes mellitus is the new epidemic plaguing the world and an estimated 439 million people worldwide are likely to develop the disease by the end of 2030. In addition, a fifth of all people with diabetes are prone to developing eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, ”said Nikkhil K Masurkar, executive director of ENTOD Pharmaceuticals.

According to him, the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy in diabetics increases with the duration of the disease. “Between 10 and 25% of diabetics are likely to develop retinal changes. Therefore, maintaining proper blood sugar control is crucial to prevent the development and progression of eye complications. Besides early detection, changes in lifestyle and eating habits can impact a long way in keeping diabetes under control and preventing the onset of diabetic retinopathy or other eye diseases, ”he said. .

Diabetic retinopathy can affect both the eyes and if left untreated for a long time, it can eventually lead to low vision or blindness. While some people may not experience any symptoms at first, for some, symptoms can come and go. The usual symptoms associated with diabetic retinopathy are new color blindness, poor night vision, distorted or blurred vision, streaks in vision, and difficulty seeing distant objects.

Why are diabetic patients more prone to retinal damage?

Padmshree Prof Dr. S Natarajan, renowned retina specialist, Mumbai, explained: “The light sensitive layer at the back of the eye is known as the retina. It’s like a movie from a camera. It is responsible for detecting light and sending signals. to the brain using the optic nerve. With too much sugar in the blood, the blood vessels that supply the retina get blocked, causing them to bleed or leak. As a result, the retina begins to develop new blood vessels which occur to be much weaker and bleed faster. When new blood vessels start to grow, it is commonly referred to as diabetic proliferative retinopathy, which is an advanced stage. The early stage is known as diabetic nonproliferative retinopathy.

“The retina can accumulate fluid and cholesterol over long periods of uncontrolled high blood sugar. This buildup of fluid causes swelling of the retina, changes in vision. This causes distortion and reduced vision. to avoid diabetic retinopathy is to maintain the level of sugar in the blood. For this, one must have a balanced diet, exercise daily, stop smoking and drinking and have dilated eye examinations each year “, a- he added.