The world is facing a silent epidemic of diabetes, estimated to affect about 42 million people worldwide each year. Approximately 530 million adults worldwide have the disease, putting them at risk of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation, which can occur as a complication of the disease. .
With over 700 million people with diabetes, India ranks second in the world. We all know that diabetes and diabetes mellitus affect many different parts of the human body, but chronic diseases can also harm our eyes, causing a condition called diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to irreversible loss of vision. This complication of diabetes is caused by elevated sugar levels that lead to damage to the retina. Diabetic retinopathy is prevalent in approximately 17% of the diabetic population in India. Left untreated, it can cause permanent blindness and increase the socioeconomic burden on the country.
When it comes to preventing permanent vision loss from diabetic retinopathy, early detection is key to managing any disease. India has a high prevalence of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (VTDR), with nearly 3 million diabetics at risk of blindness, 4% of people with diabetes over the age of 40, according to a study. Estimated. This figure underscores the urgent need to raise awareness about diabetic retinopathy and make effective screening and management available nationwide.
Today, medical technology innovations are advancing in identifying diabetes risk with AI algorithms and early detection with flash glucose monitors. One of the key inventions to aid early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy is the development of the non-mydriatic retinal camera.
A non-mydriatic fundus camera (NMFC) captures high-resolution images of the retina. Timely identification of diabetic retinopathy in patients using this technology will help in early initiation of disease management and treatment and in preventing permanent blindness. If retinopathy is detected, the patient can be referred to a retinal specialist to avoid blindness. Using such technology can make a positive impact on the Indian eye care landscape.
In addition, NMFC will also acquire a wealth of key data to drive further research in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. This helps ophthalmologists use this technology to monitor disease progression and the effectiveness of treatment.
A standard eye exam involves dilating the pupil with eye drops. This process has minor drawbacks, it takes 10-20 minutes for the eye drops to take effect, blurs the patient’s vision, and makes the patient light sensitive for hours after dilation. NMFC overcomes these drawbacks by capturing retinal images without pharmacological pupil dilation. This will allow patients to have immediate referral to specialists who can monitor their retinal condition and, if necessary, quickly identify and initiate the necessary treatment.
NMFC is therefore a successful example of how technology and innovation can help address a major health challenge called diabetic retinopathy. Public and private healthcare organizations should take the initiative and adopt this technology on a large scale. It has been adopted as a protocol in several eye hospitals. All eye checks in adults should include a NMFC report, and those with diabetes in particular should be screened for diabetic retinopathy at least once a year.
Deploying such technology throughout the healthcare environment, from primary health centers to community-based screening, and opportunistic screening typically performed in clinics, pharmacies, and medical laboratories, to hospitals. Since many people with diabetes are asymptomatic, detecting diabetic retinopathy can also lead to a diagnosis of diabetes, helping to realize the vision of a diabetes-free India.
Disclaimer
The above views are the author’s own.
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