November is World Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. Find out how people with diabetes can protect their vision and prevent blindness.
The theme for 2021-2023 has been on Access to Diabetes with the subtheme this year being Education to protect tomorrow. PatientsEngage and IHOPE came together at how people with diabetes can protect their vision and prevent blindness.
It is not common knowledge that people with diabetes can develop a complication called diabetic retinopathy that affects eye vision This discussion highlights the importance of testing for this condition soon after a diabetes diagnosis. Early detection and metabolic control of diabetes goes a long way towards prevention as well as management of diabetic retinopathy. The common symptoms associated with this condition are discussed, as well as the importance of regular testing to keep the condition from worsening. It is also worth nothing that other factors like stress and hypertension can also exacerbate diabetic retinopathy.
Regular visits to not just diabetologists, but also eye specialists, are important to monitor the condition and keep it under control, as well as to be fully compliant with the treatment protocols and lifestyle suggestions given by the specialists
Our panelists are
Dr. Bipin Kumar Sethi, Diabetologist, Care Super Speciality Hospital Hyderabad
Dr Manisha Agarwal,Head Of Department, Retina Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, Delhi
Dr Padmaja Kumari Rani,Head, Teleophthalmology and Vitreo Retinal Surgeon LV Prasad Eye Institute
They also cover the following questions on management of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy
- Why does diabetes cause so many complications
- How do you determine the eye condition is due to diabetes
- Common symptoms of diabetic retinopathy
- Frequency of eye screening and tests
- Is Diabetic Retinopathy reversible
- Importance of metabolic control to manage the condition
- Does hypertension increase the risk of diabetic retinopathy
- How frequently should various specialists be consulted
- What is the best way to manage the progression after diagnosis
- What are eye floaters
- How to prevent vision loss in diabetic patients
- What and where are various screening options available
This is part of a series that PatientsEngage and IHOPE are collaborating on to provide patient education and public awareness on eye health. If you have any questions or would like a topic addressed in future, write to us at https://www.patientsengage.com/contact
Indian Health Outcomes, Public Health and Economics Research Centre (IHOPE) is collaborative and interdisciplinary research centre that has been set up with a 10 crore research grant from the Wellcome Trust/ DBT India Alliance through collaborations between the L V Prasad Eye Institute, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabad. IHOPE website can be accessed at - https://www.ihope2020.org
