DIABETIC RETINOPATHY Do not lose sight of diabetes

Stay in control

- ANNA JOSE

8-YEAR-OLD Thankamma (name changed) from Ernakulam has been a diabetic patient for 15 years. As she did not manage her disease properly, she lost vision in one of her eyes 10 years ago. However, worried about financial burden and other difficulties, she opted to skip treatment. Two years back, she lost vision in the other eye too. At this point, being an elderly woman and staying alone, she had no option and decided to take treatment to improve her vision. "However, a day after the procedure, her vision improved, and she could see at least people and things around," said Dr Thomas Cherian, senior consultant in vitreo retinal at Little Flower Eye Hospital, Angamaly, who treated the patient.

Thankamma's is a severe case of diabetic retinopathy, and surgery was the only option. People, when diagnosed with diabetes, often tend to avoid proper treatment and try to manage blood sugar levels themselves. If the disease is left untreated for a prolonged period, among other issues, it can lead to diabetic retinopathy - vision loss or blindness caused by diabetes. Diabetes along with hypertension, diabetes affecting the kidneys, high cholesterol levels, and anaemia, can worsen the condition.