World Glaucoma Day: Diabetes a leading cause of blindness in working-age Indians

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the working age group said health experts on World Glaucoma Day on TuesdayWorld Glaucoma Day is observed every year on March 12 to raise awareness about the set of eye diseases that can damage the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss and blindness if not treated earlyDiabetes is known to double the chances of having glaucoma which hurts the optic nerve that is known to send visual information from the eyes to the brainldquoDiabetes Mellitus when uncontrolled affects all parts of the eye from the eyelids cornea lens retina and blood vessels of the eye and affects the eye pressuresrdquo Dr Aishwarya Krishnamurthy consultant endocrinology amp diabetes Max Super Speciality Hospital Vaishali saidldquoDiabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the working age group The blood vessels in the retina may swell and leak fluid into your eye If its not treated it can cause serious problems such as vision loss and retinal detachment where the retina is pulled away from its normal position at the back of your eyerdquo added Dr Surender Kumar senior endocrinologist Sir Ganga Ram HospitalAccording to a recent study published in the Lancet journal approximately 21 million people in India are visually impaired including 24 million that are blind The figures are set to increase as diabetes a significant risk factor for vision loss is soaring in the countryThe 10th edition of the International Federation Diabetes Atlas 2021 estimates that there are 74 million people aged 2079 years affected by diabetes in India and this number is expected to increase to 125 million by 2045Dr Rajeev Gupta director Internal Medicine at the CK Birla Hospital Delhi said that diabetes also raises the risk of a host of other eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy cataracts glaucoma macular edema dry eyes all which can decrease vision or even blindness if left undiagnosed and untreatedHowever the experts noted that vision loss is preventable if the blood sugar blood pressure and cholesterol remain controlledThey recommended all patients with diabetes undergo regular eye examinations follow a healthy eating plan engage in regular physical activity and quit smokingThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever