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In India, 21 million Diabetics struggle with eyesight, 2.4m go blind

A recent study has brought to light a concerning correlation between diabetes and vision impairment in India.

By Ground Report Desk 07 Mar 2024

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In India, 21 million Diabetics struggle with eyesight, 2.4m go blind

A recent study published in Lancet Global Health has brought to light a concerning correlation between diabetes and vision impairment in India. The research indicates that out of the estimated 101 million diabetic population, at least 21 million individuals are grappling with vision issues, with 2.4 million of these cases resulting in complete blindness.

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The study’s findings underscore a stark disparity in health outcomes linked to socio-economic status, with poorer vision and blindness predominantly affecting those in lower socio-economic brackets. This pattern of health inequality highlights the urgent need for equitable access to medical care and early intervention to prevent diabetes-related complications, such as blindness, from escalating.

In an extensive examination involving 42,147 Indian adults aged 40 and above, the study found that while 26.5% of diabetic participants had excellent vision, a significant 52.4% required corrective eyewear. More alarmingly, 18.7% suffered from poor vision, and 2.4% were blind. Extrapolating these figures to a national scale, researchers estimate that in 2021, around 21 million diabetic adults over 40 had impaired vision, with 2.4 million being blind.

The researchers acknowledge limitations in their study, noting that it only included individuals over 40 and relied on census data from 2011, which may not accurately reflect current demographics or trends.

Interestingly, the study revealed that cataracts are a more prevalent cause of vision loss and blindness in diabetics than diabetic retinopathy. This finding emphasizes the importance of regular eye examinations for diabetic individuals to detect and manage conditions that could lead to severe vision impairment.

Dr. Rajeev Raman, the lead researcher, highlighted the insidious nature of retinopathy, a condition where damage to the retina’s blood vessels can cause sudden vision loss in those who previously had no visual issues.

The study also observed no significant difference in the rate of poor vision between rural and urban residents. However, it did find that individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds, particularly those who are underweight and not obese, face a higher risk of eye problems due to undiagnosed diabetes.

In a geographical analysis, the study noted that Thrissur district in Kerala, with its high epidemiological infection level, showed the lowest prevalence of vision defects. In contrast, Uttar Pradesh, with a lower infection level, had the highest prevalence of vision loss.

The authors, including Sobha Shivprasad from the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, suggest that allocating national resources to states with lower epidemiological infection levels could significantly reduce eye damage more rapidly and effectively than non-stratified budget allocations.