DIABETIC RETINOPATHY & OTHER RETINAL DISORDERS
The Commonest cause of retinal disorder is Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetic Retinopathy is fast becoming a major cause of blindness not only in India, but worldwide. This disease affects predominantly the working population (below 50 years of age). A report from the Research Society For The Study Of Diabetes In India ( Report also published in Rajasthan Patrika dated 16-12-1998) indicates that the number of Diabetics in India is a massive 300,00,000. This number is expected to DOUBLE by the year 2001. It is also estimated that the current prevalence of Diabetes is 12%. (1998)
A recent survey in India showed that of the diabetic patients screened 37% had overt diabetic retinopathy (Community Eye Health 1996;9:56-58). (Indian Journal of Ophthalmology 1998;46:2:65-66) Another report Another report ( Delhi Ophthalmological Society Times 1999;3:10:25-27 ) indicated the incidence of Diabetic Retinopathy to be 49.6%. Various reports from India estimate the blindness due to Retinal Diseases to be from 17.1% to 32% of the total blindness in the country (Journal of Indian Medical Association1999;97:8:305-308)
A study conducted by the society shows an incidence of Peripheral Retinal Degenerations of above 17% in patients attending the hospitals OPD
Unlike diabetes, diabetic retinopathy is treatable, especially if detected at an early stage. Timely laser surgery can reduce the visual loss from proliferative diabetic retinopathy by 90%. Laser and surgical treatment for macular edema can reduce the risk of visual loss by over 50%. Vitrectomy surgery can restore vision when retinopathy is too advanced for laser treatment.
Hence a timely diagnosis, examination and treatment can control this irreversible cause of blindness. Unfortunately, in the present day scenario, guided by the WHO-NPCB report of 1989, most effort of voluntary organisations is directed towards the eradication of cataract. Most important is the fact that in todays situation approximately 20-30% of blindness can be attributed to Diabetic Retinopathy, and there is no-one to address the plight of this group of patients.
It is estimated that the present population of Jaipur District is 50,00,000
Of these, approximately 12% population suffer from Diabetes: i.e. - 6,00,000
Approximate population of Diabetic Retinopathy (40%) : i.e. 2,40,000