Diabetes Threatens the Eyesight of Over One Crore Indians: Experts Warn of Silent Vision Loss
84.8% of Rural Diabetes Patients Never Screened for Retinal Damage: A Growing Threat to India's Vision Health
Grewal Eye Institute Warns of Rising Threat of Irreversible Vision Loss; Calls for Early Detection
Diabetic Retinopathy Threatens the Sight of Millions: Grewal Eye Institute Calls for Early Screening Ahead of World Diabetes Day
Zinnia Balli/ Babushahi Network
Chandigarh, November 3, 2026: Ahead of World Diabetes Day, observed annually on November 14, Grewal Eye Institute (GEI), Medicity, New Chandigarh, has raised concern over the growing burden of diabetic retinopathy (DR), a potentially sight-threatening complication of diabetes that can cause irreversible vision loss if not detected and treated in time.
The scale of the challenge is evident from the latest estimates of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Approximately 589 million adults aged 20–79 yearswere living with diabetes worldwide in 2024, projected to rise to 853 million by 2050. India accounted for an estimated 89.8 million adults with diabetes in 2024, a figure expected to reach approximately 156.7 million by 2050.
Addressing a press briefing here today under “Chirag,” GEI’s public health awareness initiative, the Institute’s eye specialists emphasized that early detection, regular retinal examinations and timely treatment are essential to preventing avoidable blindness. The 2026–27 World Diabetes Day campaign, themed “Early action on diabetes,” reinforces the importance of early diagnosis, risk reduction and timely access to healthcare.
Diabetic retinopathy develops when persistently elevated blood glucose damages the tiny blood vessels supplying the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It often progresses silently, without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Consequently, many patients seek medical attention only after their vision has begun to deteriorate. Global estimates indicate that approximately one in five people living with diabetes develops some degree of diabetic retinopathy.
Dr. S.P.S. Grewal, CEO and Managing Director of Grewal Eye Institute, highlighted the long-term implications of diabetes for eye health. “In people with Type 2 diabetes, diabetic retinopathy may already be present at the time of diagnosis, as diabetes can remain undetected for several years. We urge everyone living with diabetes to prioritise regular retinal examinations, even when their vision appears perfectly normal,” he said. He added that India's rising diabetes burden, coupled with sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy dietary habits, makes preventive healthcare and timely eye examinations more important than ever.
The scale of the challenge is evident from the latest estimates of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Approximately 589 million adults aged 20–79 yearswere living with diabetes worldwide in 2024, projected to rise to 853 million by 2050. India accounted for an estimated 89.8 million adults with diabetes in 2024, a figure expected to reach approximately 156.7 million by 2050.
Dr. Mangat Ram Dogra, Director – Retina Services at GEI, emphasised that timely screening and appropriate treatment can prevent more than 90% of diabetes-related blindness. Referring to the SMART India study, published in The Lancet Global Health in 2022, he noted that diabetic retinopathy affects an estimated 12.5% of people with diabetes in India, with no statistically significant difference in prevalence between urban and rural populations. Applying this estimate to India's diabetes population suggests that more than one crore people could be affected.
Highlighting the screening gap, Dr. Dogra cited a population-based survey in rural Uttar Pradesh, published in BMJ Open in 2025. It found that 84.8% of people aged 50 years and above with previously diagnosed diabetes had never undergone retinal screening. Furthermore, only 15.4% of those identified with sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy had received treatment. He stressed that retinal screening must become an integral part of diabetes management, rather than being delayed until vision deteriorates.
Experts recommend that people with Type 2 diabetes undergo a comprehensive dilated eye examination at diagnosis, while those with Type 1 diabetes should have their first examination within five years of diagnosis. Annual examinations are generally advised thereafter, with frequency adjusted according to individual risk and clinical findings. Women with diabetes who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should also undergo an eye examination, as retinopathy can worsen during pregnancy.
Good blood glucose control, regular retinal screening and timely treatment are vital to preserving sight. People should not wait for symptoms before seeking an eye examination. Blurred or fluctuating vision, new floaters or dark spots, and sudden deterioration in vision warrant prompt assessment. Advances in retinal imaging, including wide-field photography and tele-screening, are making early detection more accessible. In suitable cases, retinal photographs can be captured without pupil dilation. Treatments such as intravitreal injections and laser therapy, when initiated at the appropriate stage, can substantially reduce the risk of severe vision loss.
Diwali celebrations: Protecting vision while celebrating
Turning attention to the approaching festive season, Dr. Parveen Sen, Senior Consultant – Retina Services and Director – Electrophysiology & Ocular Genetics at GEI, cautioned against overlooking eye safety during Diwali. Firecracker smoke and fumes can cause irritation, redness, burning and watering, while direct exposure to sparks and explosive blasts can result in corneal burns, penetrating injuries, retinal damage and permanent vision loss.
Referring to the International Globe and Adnexal Trauma Epidemiology Study (IGATES), published in Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology in 2022, Dr. Sen highlighted that the multi-country study of patients treated for fireworks-related eye injuries found that 18.3% experienced severe vision loss at the four-week follow-up. She urged families to keep children away from firecrackers, avoid handling explosive materials and choose safer alternatives. She also cautioned that bystanders are vulnerable to serious injuries. “A moment of festive excitement should never come at the cost of a lifetime of compromised vision,” she said.
As part of Chirag, GEI is offering complimentary diabetic eye screening with retinal photographic scanning at its Sector 9C, Chandigarh, and Medicity, New Chandigarh, facilities from November 5 to 21, 2026. The Institute also conducts community outreach programmes and tele-screening initiatives to improve access to diabetic retinopathy screening in rural areas.
Through Chirag, GEI will continue to promote awareness of diabetes-related eye disease and encourage regular eye examinations as an essential part of diabetes management.