Why Retinal Health India Vision Agenda Must Be Prioritized

India has made impressive progress against traditional causes of blindness through decades of public health interventions. But despite this impressive progress, the burden remains significant: one-third of the world’s blind population resides in India.

An increasing share of this burden is now attributable to retinal diseases, including diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. These diseases are often silent at first, but once identified, can’t be treated effectively without timely intervention.

The New Frontier of Retinal Diseases in India

Experts caution that retinal diseases are becoming a public health emergency.
In India, many people with diabetes—a significant risk factor for retinal disease—are not receiving routine screening of their eyes.
A lack of awareness is critical: Many patients with diabetes don’t become aware of the ocular risks related to retinal disease until this damage has progressed.

What Needs to Happen: A Strategic Response in Support of Retinal Health

To meet this mounting issue, experts are asking that retinal health be elevated to that of a national priority. Here are some pieces of the strategy they envision:

Screenings at the Community Level

New Indian guidelines included the recommendation of yearly retinal examinations for individuals with diabetes, which provides a more standard approach to early detection.

Technology

AI-based diagnostic tools and retinal imaging can likely enhance screenings, particularly for underserved or rural populations.

Awareness Campaigns

Outreach to educate the patient population on the importance of having retinal examinations, particularly for individuals with diabetes. Few know, for instance, that an early detection of a retinal problem could decrease loss of vision more substantially.

Policy Support

Engaging a number of stakeholders, such as experts in ophthalmology, policy influencers, industry partners and groups representing patients, could possibly integrate retinal care into the mainstream public health agenda on behalf of patients and their communities.

Lifestyle and Prevention

Encouraging healthy behaviours, such as keeping blood sugar levels in the normal range, managing hypertension, and proper nutrition with nutrients that may provide retinal protection, like lutein and omega-3.

Retinal diseases are no longer an issue just for specialists or a niche issue. In a country such as India, where there is a high burden of diabetes and continuously increasing life expectancy, retinal health should ultimately become a main component of all national eye care strategies. By utilizing technology, increasing public awareness, and screening regularly, India will be able to prevent blindness to a greater extent and protect the vision of millions of people’s eyes.