Retinal diseases often remain “silent” in their early stages, displaying little to no symptoms until significant damage has already occurred.
According to Dr Chaitra Jayadev, Senior Consultant of Vitreoretina Services at Narayana Nethralaya, more than 11 million people in India suffer from retinal diseases that can lead to vision loss and blindness if not treated promptly. With India also having 77 million individuals living with diabetes, the risk of diabetic eye complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, is increasing rapidly.
In the early stages, retinal conditions usually don’t cause obvious symptoms. People may not realise there’s a problem until their vision is already impaired. By this point, treatment is often less effective at reversing damage. Dr Jayadev stresses that regular retina exams are critical to catching diseases early, when they can still be managed successfully.
Research shows that 16.9% of diabetics develop diabetic retinopathy (DR), while about 3.6% are at high risk of severe vision loss. Despite being preventable, many patients skip regular eye check-ups, leading to late diagnoses. India already has one-third of the world’s visually impaired population, making it especially vulnerable to diabetic eye disease.
HOW RETINAL DISEASES AFFECT EVERYDAY LIFE
Even before complete blindness, retinal conditions can seriously disrupt daily activities. Patients may find it hard to read small text, recognise faces, or work on tasks requiring fine vision. Sensitivity to light, difficulty seeing at night, and loss of peripheral vision make driving or commuting unsafe. Over time, such issues can cause major lifestyle changes and emotional stress.
EARLY SCREENING SAVES SIGHT
The key to preventing vision loss lies in regular retinal screening and timely intervention. Annual eye exams, especially for diabetics and people with a family history of retinal disease, can help detect problems at a stage when treatments like laser therapy, injections, or surgery are more effective.
Doctors recommend that everyone above 40, particularly those with diabetes, hypertension, or a history of smoking, undergo routine retinal checks. Early detection not only saves sight but also reduces the burden of avoidable blindness in India. As Dr Jayadev explains, “Regular screening and early detection are critical for preventing irreversible vision loss.”
