Diabetic retinopathy: a preventable scourge.

ABSTRACT

In recent years, the India has witnessed a rapidly exploding epidemic of diabetes mellitus. It would not be hyperbolic to state that diabetes mellitus is the mother of morbidity of all vital organs. Diabetic retinopathy and its complications cause considerable ocular morbidity as well. With effective management strategies visual loss due to the disease can be controlled and further dissemination of the disease could be prevented. The key to proper management of diabetic retinopathy includes prophylaxis by controlling blood sugar, periodical screening of retina for early detection, prompt referral for prevention of progression by appropriate laser photocoagulation, surgical correction of various anatomical abnormalities, low vision aids and rehabilitative measures in patients with severe visual loss. Howerver, the awareness level of visual consequences of this widely prevalent disease even amongst diabetics is lacking.