Diabetes and the Eye
A sweet disease of bitter company

Facts that every Diabetic should know

1. Diabetics are a higher risk of developing eye problems – some of which can lead to irreversible blindness

2. The longer the duration of Diabetes and worse the control – more are the chances of developing eye problems – Repeated Testing and Adequate control over long period of time is the best way

3. Eye Problems can go totally un-noticed unless Vision is tested under standard conditions and retina seen by qualified eye specialist

4. Diabetics are at a higher risk of developing
o Cataract (Safed Motia)
o Glaucoma (Kala Motia)
o Diabetic Retinopathy (Spots on the Retina)

5. Cataract is curable with Surgery and IOL Implant and Glaucoma leads to progressive blindness-which is irreversible.

6. Early Diabetic Retinopathy can be best detected by Fundus Fluroscien Angiography FFA (where a dye is injected into the vein of the hand and Retinal Photographs taken using special light and instruments)

7. Diabetics should have complete eye check up by an Eye Specialist as per guidelines of American Academy of Ophthalmologists recommendations:
o All Diabetics at the time of first diagnoses & of more than 5 years duration of disease – at-least once a year if no retinopathy
o All Diabetics with diagnosed retinopathy, on insulin or unstable control – once every 6 months.

8. Laser and other Forms of Treatment prevent the rapid progress of disease and in some cases can reverse early changes and slow down the onset of irreversible blindness.


Contributed by

Dr.Sanjay Dhawan
M.B.B.S., D.O., M.S.(Ophthal)
Senior Eye Specialist (Gold Medallist)
Mob: 9810635968

Dr.Sanjay Dhawan is Senior Consultant at the Department of Ophthalmology at Maharaja Agarsen Hospital and Max Hospital Pitampura and has a practice at A-52. Meera Bagh. Paschim Vihar. He joins this hospital after a 12 year stint abroad working with various international eye care NGO’s – Sight Savers International of UK and ORBIS International of USA. Can be contacted on Mobile: 9810635968