There are 101 million people diagnose d with diabetes
*Annual Eye Screening Must for Diabe tics to Save Eyesight: Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital*
• Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, Chennai to provide free consultations for diabetic patients who are 50 years or above till the month end.
*Chennai, 14 November 2024* : “There are 101 million people diagnosed with diabetes and 136 million people diagno sed with prediabetes in India.
Around 10% of individuals (approx. 1 i n 10) with diabetes will develop some form of diabetic eye disease post 10 ye ars of their diagnosis or even earlier. This can lead to severe vision loss or e ven blindness. However, a vast portion of diabetics population do not go for e ye checkups because there is not enou gh awareness that diabetes could affec t eyes as much as it does heart or kidn ey. Also, diabetic retinopathy can rema in free of symptoms initially” said *Dr. Manoj Khatri, Clinical Lead and Head, Department of Vitreo-Retina, Dr Agar wals Eye Hospital, Chennai.*
“Regular screening and early detection of the risks of this disorder can help cr ores of Indians either to prevent or ma nage diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can eve n be prevented, or its onset can be del ayed with a few lifestyle changes and healthy eating. Keeping blood sugar, bl ood pressure, and cholesterol in cont rol; reducing weight, having good food d, regular exercise, and leading a stre ss-free life can go a long way in diabet ic patients preserving vision” added *Dr. Manoj Khatri.*
*In view of the theme of “Breaking Ba rriers, Bridging Gaps” of the World Di abetes Day, 2024, which falls on Novem ber 14, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital is org anizing a two-week long free ophthlam ic consultation in the city for diabetic patients who are 50 years or above, fr om November 14. The hospital offers c onsulting services also to people of all age groups by charging only 50% of the fee. For Registration: 95949 24048*
In a media statement, *Dr. Manoj Khat ri* said that diabetic retinopathy leads to abnormal growth of blood vessels in the eyes, and affects the vision by caus ing internal swelling/bleeding, blockin ng of fluids, damaging retina and optic nerves, and even displacing retina. Dia betic retinopathy can be diagnosed thr ough a comprehensive eye examinatio n of retina and macula. Treatment of d iabetic retinopathy includes laser surg ery to seal leaking blood vessels, injec tion of medications into the eyes to dec rease inflammation as well as certain abnormal growth factors, and surgical procedure to remove and replace the g el-like fluid in the back of the eye to re pair a retinal detachment or vitreous hemorrhage.