World Sight Day: Not cataract, retinal diseases are the most common eye problems says experts

Dr Rajiv Raman, consultant, vitreoretinal services, Sankara Nethralaya, said that the Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), the most common form of diabetic retinopathy (DR), were on the rise. He said that he received nearly 1,500 patients in the retina clinic annually, half of whom have AMD or DR.

“Population-based studies from Sankara Nethralaya has shown in people above 60 years, nearly 20 per cent have early disease and 2 per cent have wet form of the disease, which needs treatment. The wet form is equally prevalent in rural and urban population. We also found that the prevalence of DR is 18 per cent in urban and 10 per cent in rural diabetics. Sight threatening DR including macular edema is present in 5 per cent of DR.”

AMD, a degenerative disease, was mostly found to affect those above 60. “However, due to unhealthy lifestyle and poor dietary habits, it has started affecting those above 50 years of age. While DME occurs in patients with diabetes, it may also affect the young population. Every diabetic is at the risk of developing DR. The gender ratio of patients is almost equal,” said Dr Raman.

Also, added Dr S Soundari, senior consultant, Dr Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, any delay in diagnosing diabetes increased the risk of diagnosing DR late. “Retina is an index, and retinopathy can indicate presence of nephropathy (damage to kidney) and neuropathy in the feet. Therefore, once the person is diagnosed with diabetes, they should also undergo an eye checkup. If detected early, it can be treated easily with laser and injections,” she said.

Glaucoma, which is caused by increase in the intraocular pressure that damages nerves in the eyes, is another common condition. Once the nerves are damaged, it is too late for complete treatment. “Once glaucoma is diagnosed, the person’s off springs and siblings must undergo tests to spot it early,” she added. 

Stressing on the need for pre-school eye checkup, the expert said that refractive power can help prevent amblyopia, popularly known as Lazy Eye, when the vision of one the eyes in a child doesn’t develop normally. Soundari added, “It can be treated and the sight can be regained, if diagnosed by the age of 10.”