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| LETTER TO THE EDITOR |
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| Year : 2021 | Volume
: 69
| Issue : 4 | Page : 1014-1015 |
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The yield of diabetic retinopathy screening in patients with long-standing diabetes
Geetha Kumar1, Saranya Velu1, Sinnakaruppan Mathavan2, Rajiv Raman1
1 Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Vitreoretinal Services, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
2 Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| Date of Web Publication | 16-Mar-2021 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Rajiv Raman
Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Vitreoretinal Services, Sankara Nethralaya, 41 College Road, Chennai - 600 006, Tamil Nadu
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_3721_20
How to cite this article:
Kumar G, Velu S, Mathavan S, Raman R. The yield of diabetic retinopathy screening in patients with long-standing diabetes. Indian J Ophthalmol 2021;69:1014-5 |
How to cite this URL:
Kumar G, Velu S, Mathavan S, Raman R. The yield of diabetic retinopathy screening in patients with long-standing diabetes. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2021 [cited 2023 Jan 29];69:1014-5. Available from: https://www.ijo.in/text.asp?2021/69/4/1014/311260 |
Dear Editior,
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common microvascular ocular complication of diabetes due to prolonged uncontrolled hyperglycemia. The population-based studies in India reported a prevalence of DR were 18% and 10% in urban and rural areas respectively.[1],[2] Nearly 50-70% of DR related visual complications can be prevented by timely screening and intervention.[3] To improve the yield of DR screening, we did a targeted DR screening camp for people diagnosed as diabetes for at least more than 10 years. We planned to reward people who despite a longer duration of diabetes didn't have any DR by a certificate and medal, few were asked to share their views on practices they followed to control diabetes [Figure 1]. The announcement for screening was made to public with the help of social media and by other modes [Figure 2]. Nearly 84 people participated in the screening. The average age was 66.47 ± 10.77 years of which 66 (68.57%) were males. The mean duration of diabetes was 16.96 ± 9.12 years. Of the people who came for screening, 70 (85.36%) people were identified with normal fundus.
People with no DR were asked to share about the measures they take in their life. Majority reported following a diabetes diet, medicines on time, followed by regular exercise like walking and yoga as a reason for good glycemic control. Few selective quotes are mentioned below.
- “Doing exercise will prevent the early onset of diabetes for the younger age people”.
- “I feel the reason for onset of diabetes is life style changes and food habits apart from genetic factors. I maintain my diabetes under control by regular walking and following diet”.
Best means of communication to reach target population seems to be SMS messaging and word of mouth by a known person. A component of reward motivates them to continue their good glycemic control.
Financial support and sponsorship
This study was supported by the Lions Club International Foundation (SFP2050/UND).
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | |  |
| 1. | Raman R, Gella L, Srinivasan S, Sharma T. Diabetic retinopathy: An epidemic at home and around the world. Indian J Ophthalmol 2016;64:69-75.  [ PUBMED] [Full text] |
| 2. | Misra N, Khanna R. Commentary: Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness and diabetic retinopathy in India. Indian J Ophthalmol 2020;68:381-2. [ PUBMED] [Full text] |
| 3. | Coney JM. Addressing unmet needs in diabetic retinopathy. Am J Manag Care 2019;25(16 Suppl):S311-6. |
[Figure 1], [Figure 2]
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