Diabetes and blindness: Causes, symptoms and ways to prevent diabetic retinopathy

How to prevent diabetic retinopathy: Controlling sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol is critical. A balanced diet, regular exercise, weight management, quitting smoking, and managing stress help protect the fragile eye vessels (Image: Pexels)

For many Indians living with diabetes, the greatest threat lies not in the sugar readings on a glucometer but in the slow loss of sight. Diabetic retinopathy, a condition where high blood sugar damages the eye’s fragile blood vessels, is rising fast in the country. Often invisible until vision is already impaired, it is one of the most preventable causes of blindness today.

India, home to more than 77 million diabetics, is facing what experts call a looming eye crisis. The Indian Council of Medical Research has flagged the extensive spread of diabetic retinopathy across both cities and smaller towns. “Patients rarely notice the condition until vision loss has already occurred,” cautions Dr Ananth Bhandary S, HOD and Consultant, Ophthalmology, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital. Bengaluru.

“The problem is made worse by late detection and poor awareness. For working-age Indians, this is not just a medical concern but a social and economic one, striking people in the most productive years of their lives,” he adds.

Also read | Diabetes control: 5 early symptoms of diabetes in men and women

Causes of diabetic retinopathy

“Prolonged high sugar levels gradually weaken the tiny blood vessels of the eye, making them leak or close off. This can lead to swelling in the retina, particularly in the macula, which is crucial for sharp vision, and cause blurring,” Dr Bhandary explains.

When vessels are blocked, he shares, parts of the retina are starved of oxygen, prompting the eye to grow abnormal new vessels. “These fragile vessels bleed easily, sometimes leading to sudden sight loss or even retinal detachment. The longer one has diabetes and the poorer the sugar control, the higher the risk of retinopathy,” warns the expert.

How to prevent diabetic retinopathy

Keeping blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol in control is the best safeguard. Nutrition, exercise, and regular monitoring are not optional extras but part of protecting vision. “We advise all diabetics to undergo a comprehensive dilated eye exam once every year. “Catching the disease early can prevent irreversible damage and allow timely treatment,” suggests Dr Bhandary.

Also read | Prediabetes symptoms, cure: Regular exercise, healthy diet and metformin help control blood sugar level

Treatment tips for diabetic retinopathy

• Laser photocoagulation: Closes leaking or abnormal blood vessels.
• Anti-VEGF injections: Medicines injected into the eye reduce swelling and halt abnormal vessel growth.
• Vitrectomy: Surgery to remove blood-filled gel and repair retinal detachment.

Controlling sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol is critical. A balanced diet, regular exercise, weight management, quitting smoking, and managing stress help protect the fragile eye vessels. These lifestyle measures, says Dr Bhandary, are not only good for the heart but vital in safeguarding sight.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.