Focus is on link with blindness

Chennai: India is home to 12 million blind people, of whom a majority suffer from diabetic retinopathy.  

Of the 12 million blind Indians, a large portion of them are in Tamil Nadu. A lack of awareness and finances are said to be factors responsible for the same.

With this year’s World Diabetes Day focusing on the theme ‘Eyes on diabetes’, doctors are working towards creating awareness on the fact that one’s eyes can also be affected by diabetes.

According to medical statistics, after seven years of being diagnosed with diabetes, 50 per cent will definitely develop diabetic retinopathy, while 85 per cent will get the condition after 15 years.  

The statistics indicate the importance of regular check-ups in order to get right medication at the right time. A significant section of society is unaware of the implications of diabetic retinopathy at an early stage in their life.

“People do not go to the doctor early enough. At the early stage, diabetic retinopathy does not cause blindness. However, in the advanced phase, when a person experiences a defective vision, it will be too late for the patient to regain that lost vision,” said Dr Lionel Raj, Head, Medical Services, Dr Agarwal’s Foundation, Tirunelveli.

“I had trouble with my vision a little after I was detected with diabetes. Along with a complete health check-up each year, I check my eyes,” said 61-year-old J. John, a diabetic.  

“Creating awareness on the link is not the only solution. Diabetes is a very expensive disease and the government should provide free health care facilities to the poor in order to bring down the burden,” he said.  

According to Prof Amar Agarwal, CMD, Dr Agarwal’s Group of Eye Hospitals, nearly 80 per cent of blindness is avoidable if treated in time. Ignorance about the disease is the reason why Tamil Nadu and the country as a whole has such a high number of blind people, he said.