Diabetic Retinopathy: The Silent Eye Disease That Every Person with Diabetes in Varanasi & Purvanchal Must Know About

By Dr. Shantanu Kumar Gupta
MS (Ophthalmology)
Medical Retina Specialist & Cataract Surgeon
Shantanu Netralaya, Varanasi

"Doctor, I Can See Clearly. Why Do I Need an Eye Check-up?"

This is one of the most common questions I hear in my clinic.

Unfortunately, this is also one of the biggest reasons why many people lose their eyesight unnecessarily.

Every week at Shantanu Netralaya, Varanasi, we meet patients who have lived with diabetes for many years but have never had their retina examined.

Many of them say,

"My sugar was under control, so I thought my eyes were fine."

Sadly, diabetic retinopathy often damages the eyes long before a person notices any problem with vision.

By the time vision becomes blurred, the disease may already be at an advanced stage.

What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?

The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye. It works like the camera sensor in your mobile phone.

When diabetes remains uncontrolled—or even after many years despite treatment—the tiny blood vessels supplying the retina become damaged.

These damaged blood vessels may:

• Leak blood

• Leak fluid

• Become blocked

• Cause swelling of the retina (Diabetic Macular Edema)

• Grow abnormal new blood vessels that may bleed suddenly

If not treated in time, these changes can permanently damage vision.

Why Should People in Purvanchal Be More Careful?

This is a message I want every family in Varanasi, Chandauli, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Sonbhadra, Ballia, Mau and the entire Purvanchal region to read carefully.

In my experience, the biggest challenge is not the lack of treatment—it is the lack of awareness.

Many people know that diabetes affects the kidneys, heart, or feet.

Very few know that diabetes can silently cause blindness.

Even today, many patients visit a retina specialist only after:

• Vision becomes blurred.

• Bleeding has already occurred inside the eye.

• The retina has developed serious complications.

By then, treatment becomes more complicated, takes longer, and may not fully restore lost vision.

The most heartbreaking sentence we hear is:

"Doctor, if only someone had told us to get our eyes checked earlier."

This is exactly why awareness is so important.

The Reality in India

Studies from India show that around 1 in 10 people with diabetes already have diabetic retinopathy, and awareness about regular retinal examinations remains very low. A national survey found that nearly 90% of people with known diabetes had never undergone a retinal examination, despite recommendations for regular screening.

These numbers remind us that preventing blindness begins with awareness.

Who Is at Risk?

Every person with diabetes is at risk.

Your chances are higher if you:

• Have had diabetes for many years

• Have uncontrolled blood sugar

• Have high blood pressure

• Have high cholesterol

• Have kidney disease

• Smoke

• Are pregnant with diabetes

Even patients taking diabetes medicines regularly can develop diabetic retinopathy.

What Are the Symptoms?

The frightening part is that there may be no symptoms at all in the beginning.

As the disease progresses, you may notice:

• Blurred vision

• Black floating spots

• Distorted vision

• Difficulty reading

• Poor night vision

• Sudden vision loss

Do not wait for symptoms before getting your retina examined.

Why Early Detection Matters?

Early diabetic retinopathy can often be detected before vision is affected.

If diagnosed early, treatment is usually:

• Simpler

• More effective

• Less likely to require surgery

Delayed diagnosis may result in:

• Vitreous hemorrhage

• Retinal detachment

• Severe diabetic macular edema

• Permanent vision loss

How Is It Diagnosed?

A simple vision test is not enough.

A retina examination may include:

• Dilated Retina Examination

• OCT Scan

• Fundus Photography

• Fluorescein Angiography (when required)

These tests help identify retinal damage long before symptoms appear.

Modern Treatment Can Save Vision

Many people become frightened when they hear they need an eye injection or retinal laser.

The reality is very different.

Today, retina specialists have highly effective treatments that can help preserve vision in many patients when started at the right time.

Depending on the stage of disease, treatment may include:

Regular Monitoring

Very early disease may only require observation and better diabetes control.

Anti-VEGF Eye Injections

These medicines reduce retinal swelling and stop abnormal blood vessel growth.

Retina Laser Treatment

Laser treatment helps protect the eye from severe complications in selected patients.

Vitreoretinal Surgery

Advanced disease with bleeding or retinal detachment may require surgery.

Treatment Can Be Expensive—But Losing Vision Costs Even More

Modern retina treatment has transformed the lives of millions of patients around the world.

However, these treatments—especially repeated anti-VEGF injections—can place a significant financial burden on many families.

In Purvanchal, we understand that this is a genuine concern.

At Shantanu Netralaya, we believe that:

A patient's financial condition should never become the reason they are denied modern, evidence-based eye care.

Whenever possible, we make every effort to arrange high-quality, guideline-recommended medicines and retina treatments at the most affordable cost we can, without compromising on quality or accepted international standards of care.

Every treatment decision is based on what is medically best for the patient's eye, not on financial considerations.

Because preserving someone's eyesight is about much more than treating a disease.

It is about protecting their independence, livelihood, and quality of life.

Can Good Sugar Control Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy?

Good diabetes control greatly reduces the risk.

However,

Good sugar control does not replace regular retinal examinations.

Even patients with well-controlled diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy.

To protect your eyesight:

• Control blood sugar.

• Control blood pressure.

• Control cholesterol.

• Exercise regularly.

• Take medicines as prescribed.

• Have a retina examination every year.

How Often Should You Get Your Eyes Checked?

General recommendations are:

• Type 2 Diabetes: At diagnosis and then at least once every year.

• Type 1 Diabetes: As advised by your ophthalmologist after diagnosis.

• Pregnant women with diabetes: May require more frequent retinal examinations.

If diabetic retinopathy is already present, your retina specialist may advise more frequent follow-up.

Common Myths

"I can see clearly, so my eyes are healthy."

False.

Early diabetic retinopathy usually causes no symptoms.

"My sugar is controlled, so I don't need eye check-ups."

False.

Even well-controlled diabetes can affect the retina.

"Eye injections are dangerous."

Modern intravitreal injections are among the most commonly performed retina procedures worldwide and, when performed under sterile conditions by trained retina specialists, are generally very safe.

"Laser treatment causes blindness."

No.

Retinal laser is performed to reduce the risk of severe vision loss, not to cause it.

My Message to Every Family in Varanasi & Purvanchal

As a retina specialist, I have seen patients regain hope because they came at the right time.

I have also seen families devastated because they came too late.

The difference between these two stories is often awareness.

If every person with diabetes in Purvanchal simply had one retinal examination every year, many cases of avoidable blindness could be prevented.

Please don't wait until your vision becomes blurry.

By then, valuable time may already have been lost.

Diabetic Retina Care at Shantanu Netralaya

At Shantanu Netralaya, Varanasi, patients with diabetes undergo a detailed retinal evaluation using modern diagnostic technology.

Services include:

• Comprehensive Retina Examination

• OCT Imaging

• Digital Fundus Photography

• Retina Laser Treatment

• Intravitreal (Eye) Injections

• Long-term Retina Follow-up

Every treatment plan is individualized according to the patient's condition and based on accepted medical guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

My vision is normal. Do I still need a retina check-up?

Yes. Early diabetic retinopathy usually develops without symptoms.

Can diabetic retinopathy be cured?

Treatment can often slow or stop disease progression and preserve vision, but vision already lost cannot always be fully restored. Early detection offers the best chance of maintaining good eyesight.

Are retina injections painful?

The eye is numbed with anesthetic drops before treatment. Most patients experience only mild discomfort during the procedure.

Can diabetes cause permanent blindness?

Yes, if diabetic retinopathy is ignored. The good news is that many cases of severe vision loss can be prevented through regular screening and timely treatment.

Final Message

Your blood sugar is checked regularly.

Your blood pressure is checked regularly.

But when was your retina checked?

If you have diabetes, make your retina examination a part of your yearly health routine.

One simple eye examination each year may protect your eyesight for the rest of your life.