One diabetic patient out of four suffers from eye related problems in the country as diabetic eye disease comprises a group of eye conditions that affect people with diabetes and these conditions include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema (DME), cataract and glaucoma.
The information came out on Thursday at a dissemination seminar on “Survey on prevalence and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients attending different tertiary level health care facilities in Bangladesh”.
The seminar was jointly organized by Non Communicable Disease Control Programme, DGHS and Initiative for NCD, ICDDR,B at MIS Auditorium, DGHS, Mohakhali in the city.
Associate Scientist of ICDDR,B Dr Aliya Naheed presented the key findings at the programme where she said, “All forms of diabetic eye disease have the potential to cause severe vision loss and blindness and Diabetic retinopathy involves changes to retinal blood vessels that can cause them to bleed or leak fluid, distorting vision.”
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes and a leading cause of blindness among working-age persons, she said adding, diabetic retinopathy can be treated with several therapies, used alone or in combination.
Chief guest of the programme Director General Health Services Dr Deen Mohammad Noorul Huq said, “Diabetic Retinopathy affects blood vessels in the light-sensitive tissue called the retina that lines the back of the eye. It is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes and the leading cause of vision impairment and blindness among working-age adults.”
Dr Deen Mohammad, also an eye expert said, “Diabetic eye disease can affect many parts of the eye, including the retina, macula, lens and the optic nerve.”
“Early detection, timely treatment, and appropriate follow-up care of diabetic eye disease can protect against vision loss and controlling diabetes by taking medications as prescribed, staying physically active, and maintaining a healthy diet can prevent or delay vision loss,” he added.
ICDDR,B Executive Director John D Clemens was also present, among others.
