Dr. Saurabh Choudhry, CEO of ICARE Eye Hospital in Noida, said that one in three persons with uncontrolled diabetes for 10 to 12 years develop diabetic retinopathy, which, if left untreated, results in irreversible eye damage and blindness. 

63% of Indians aren′t even aware that diabetes affects the eyes, making diabetic retinopathy the third most common cause of blindness in the country besides cataract and glaucoma.93% of diabetic patients in the US often wait until they have vision issues before seeing an ophthalmologist. 

The eyes are the body′s window. Diabetes-related eye abnormalities can be detected early with routine eye exams, even when the patient exhibits no symptoms. Hence, all healthy individuals are advised to have a yearly eye checkup, while people with diabetes are advised to visit an eye doctor every four months. Additionally, the high cost of treating retinal problems is reduced with regular eye screenings.

He continued by saying that roughly 80% of diabetic retinopathy patients experience visual difficulties when working, reading, or driving. In India, most individuals do not know they have diabetes unless they need to visit a hospital because of a diabetes complication.

ICARE Eye hospital receives many referral cases from everywhere in Delhi NCR and beyond. More than 150 people visit the hospital daily, among which roughly 100 have diabetes, and 40 in them have diabetic neuropathy. Mild cases can be managed with adequate diabetes management, but more severe cases necessitate laser surgery or other invasive procedures.

Diabetic people can maintain healthy vision for the rest of their lives with early detection, appropriate blood sugar management, and access to laser operations.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/one-out-of-three-people-with-uncontrolled-diabetes-develop-diabetic-retinopathy/95518801)