Diabetic retinopathy screening guidelines will help prevent irreversible vision loss: Pune doctor

RSSDI along with Vitreo Retinal Society of India (VRSI) have collaborated to formulate these screening guidelines which will help doctors educate their patients regarding diabetic retinopathy.

The guidelines recommend that individuals with Type 2 diabetes undergo screening for diabetic retinopathy at the time of diagnosis. According to the International Society of Paediatric and adolescent diabetes (ISPAD) guidelines in Type 1 diabetes, it is recommended to start DR screening after 11 years of age with 2–5 years of duration of diabetes.

With a national prevalence of 12.5 per cent of diabetic retinopathy and 4 per cent of vision-threatening ‘Diabetic Retinopathy’, approximately 3 million Indians are at a risk of vision loss.

This highlights the critical need for timely screening of every patient with diabetes to prevent an irreversible loss of vision, which goes undetected in its early stage.

He added that this initiative aims to empower healthcare professionals—often the first point of contact for those living with diabetes—with the tools and knowledge necessary to promote early detection and intervention, ultimately reducing the risk of severe vision impairment and blindness caused due to diabetic retinopathy.

For women with known diabetes who are planning to conceive, it is crucial to assess their risk of developing DR. Therefore, it is recommended that they undergo their first screening for DR prior to conception. Additionally, it is advised for these women to have a follow-up screening during the first trimester of pregnancy to monitor any changes in their retinal health

Dr Sudha Chandrashekar, former executive director, National Health Authority – Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dr R Kim, president, VRSI, Dr Manisha Agarwal, general secretary, VRSI, Dr Rakesh Sahay, president, RSSDI, and others were present at the launch event in Delhi.