Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of working-age blindness, and much of the vision lost to it is preventable with timely screening and treatment. In a high-diabetes-burden setting like India, the screening schedule is the single highest-yield habit.
Screen for retinopathy at diagnosis in type 2 diabetes and within five years of diagnosis in type 1, then at least annually, with the interval shortened as retinopathy or maculopathy appears. Use a dilated fundus examination or validated retinal imaging, and refer sight-threatening disease — proliferative retinopathy or diabetic macular oedema — promptly.
Reinforce that tight glycaemic and blood-pressure control slows progression, and that pregnancy accelerates retinopathy and warrants closer screening. A reliable recall system does more for vision here than any single visit.
- Screen at diagnosis in type 2 diabetes and within five years of diagnosis in type 1, then at least yearly.
- Shorten the interval as retinopathy or maculopathy develops.
- Refer proliferative retinopathy or diabetic macular oedema promptly.
- Screen more closely in pregnancy, which accelerates retinopathy.
Why it matters
Most diabetic vision loss is preventable, so a reliable screening and recall system protects sight more than any single clinic visit.
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