Screening For Retinopathy Recommended Soon After Diagnosing Diabetes

Most of the doctors recommend their patients with diabetes to undergo screening for retinopathy, immediately after diagnoses, reveals a survey by Curofy, India’s largest community of verified doctors.

India is a waging a war against the epidemic of diabetes. An estimated 382 million people are suffering from diabetes worldwide and the number is expected to grow in the coming years. India ranks second in terms of cases of diabetes detected and have rightfully earned the monicker as diabetes capital of the world.

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‘The diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is often delayed. By the time a person is diagnosed, they already have diabetic complications including neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy.’

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About 90% of diabetic patients have type 2 diabetes, which is insidious in onset hence the diagnosis is often delayed. This means that by the time a person is diagnosed, they already have diabetic complications including neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy.

All people suffering from diabetes are at a risk of developing retinopathy. Since it’s onset is usually asymptomatic patients don’t know they are suffering from retinopathy till they experience blurring and loss of vision. Hence, the question arises, should patients be screened for retinopathy as soon as they are diagnosed with diabetes?

Out of 700 doctors who responded, 630 or 90% physicians said that patients should be screened for retinopathy as soon as they are diagnosed with diabetes.

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Dr Anita Sethi, Senior consultant and HOD, Ophthalmology, Fortis Gurgaon, said, “Depending on the duration of diabetes, 1st time it was diagnosed and the severity one must have a dilated eye check up for retinopathy, often retinopathy can also indicate nephropathy. It is important to visualize blood vessels in the eye for any major illness.”

Only 70 or 10% doctors said that screening for retinopathy immediately after diagnosing diabetes is not necessary. Interestingly, on being asked if patient are actually asked to get their eyes screened, 21.2% doctors said that patients don’t get the screening done.

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While awareness for diabetes is steadily spreading across our country, people are still ignorant about complications from the same.

Nipun Goyal, Co-founder Curofy, said, “Diabetes is a cause of growing concern in India. Most of the time people suffering from diabetic retinopathy are not even aware of it until it’s too late. It is important for us to know that it’s never to early to get screened, early detection will help in better management.”

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Source-Medindia