An all-India study published in The Lancet, reported that about 3 million adults over the age of 40 are in danger of blindness owing to diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy, a microvascular condition that can develop into vision threatening diabetic retinopathy (VTDR) without symptoms, affects 13% of the population. Untreated diabetic retinopathy has resulted in permanent vision loss in 4% of the population.

The study was carried out to learn more about the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and VTDR in India. According to the researchers, retinopathy is the most prevalent consequence of diabetes and a leading cause of vision impairment; thus, it should be detected by scanning the retina using retinal cameras regularly.

Between December 2018 and March 2020, they conducted a multicenter cross-sectional screening trial for diabetic retinopathy in adults aged 40 years or older with known and undiagnosed diabetes in 10 Indian states and one Union Territory. Nearly 42,146 people were tested, and 19% were found to have diabetes. 78% of them exhibited gradable retinal images. 

The study found no significant differences in diabetic retinopathy between urban and rural residents. The study discovered a greater incidence of diabetic retinopathy and VTDR in people with recognized diabetes than in those with undiagnosed diabetes, with prevalence being considerably lower in states with low socio-demographic index (SDI) and epidemiological transition level (ETL).

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/13-of-those-with-high-glucose-levels-at-risk-of-diabetic-retinopathy-study/99773039)