Annual retinal screening prevents diabetic blindness in India

Diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of preventable blindness, often damages eyes silently. Annual retinal screening and strict diabetes control can prevent vision loss before symptoms appear. In India, over 101 million people live with diabetes, and many wait until blurred vision occurs, when harm is irreversible. Experts urge integrating routine retinal exams into primary diabetes care and annual health check-ups. AI-enabled screening can expand access to underserved communities. Treatment includes lasers, injections, and surgery, but prevention remains the most powerful approach. Managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and lifestyle also protects eyesight.