Regular eye check-up must for diabetics, say experts at PGIMS
Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences’ Regional Institute of Ophthalmology organised an awareness session to make people aware about diabetic retinopathy.
A poster exhibition was put up at the new OPD complex of the PGIMS on Wednesday.
UHS Vice-Chancellor Prof (Dr) Anita Saxena was the chief guest, while the university Registrar Dr HK Aggarwal, PGIMS Director Dr SS Lohchab and Medical Superintendent Dr Kundan Mittal were the guests of honour.
Addressing the people present on the occasion, The Vice-Chancellor pointed out that the number of diabetes patients is increasing rapidly in India.
“If we talk about the present situation, more than 10 crore people are suffering from this disease in the country. Not only adults, but even the children are becoming its victims rapidly,” observed Saxena.
The Registrar cautioned that uncontrolled diabetes can affect the kidneys, nerves, heart and eyes.
“The cases of diabetic retinopathy are increasing rapidly because people lack information and awareness about it. It is very important to make patients aware of diabetic retinopathy,” he stated.
The PGIMS Director said diabetic retinopathy was a disorder which, if not treated on time, could lead to blindness.
The Medical Superintendent maintained that doctors needed to explain the disease in detail to patients and make them aware of the need for regular checkups.
Dr RS Chauhan, the Chairman of the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, said diabetic retinopathy, which was very serious and could even lead to loss of eyesight, could be prevented to a great extent with timely diagnosis and treatment.
Dr Manisha Nada, in-charge of the Diabetic Retinopathy Unit at the PGIMS, pointed out that most cases of diabetic retinopathy were asymptomatic in initial stages.
“This disease is not detected until the retina is examined regularly. That is why it is also called the silent thief of vision. The chances of diabetic retinopathy in sugar patients increase with time. Diabetic retinopathy affects the blood vessels present in the retina and is the main cause of blindness in adults,” she maintained.
Dr Jitender Phogat said a special clinic on diabetic retinopathy was being run at the PGIMS on Thursdays. Dr Urmil Chawla, Dr Ashok Rathi, Dr Sonam Gill and vision expert Ramesh Hooda also took out an awareness march.
Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy
- Small black shadows moving before eyes
- Blurring of vision
- Sudden darkness before eyes
- Problem with night vision
- Difficulty in perceiving colours
- Blindness
- Frequent change in the numbers of glasses
