India is launching new guidelines to fight diabetic retinopathy. By 2045, over 21 million Indians may develop this eye condition. The government aims to increase screening to 80 percent. Early detection and treatment can prevent vision loss. The plan involves various healthcare levels and community outreach. This initiative seeks to safeguard the eyesight of millions. NEW DELHI: In the next two decades, Indians facing the threat of going blind due to diabetic retinopathy (DR) could well exceed the entire population of Sri Lanka. This may sound alarming, but data indicates that by 2045, more than 125 million Indians will be living with diabetes — and of these, 16.9%, or over 21 million people, are projected to develop diabetic retinopathy. Data also shows that 4% to 5% of all people with diabetes — about 5 to 6 million — may lose their eyesight if timely action is not taken.Aware of this growing threat, the government is seeking to tackle DR through a unified, India-specific framework with the newly released Revised National Guidelines for the Management of Diabetic Retinopathy (2025). The guidelines were launched by VISION 2020 at a one-day National Summit on Diabetic Retinopathy held on Friday, bringing together 200 experts from across the country. The chief guest at the event was Dr VK Paul, member, NITI Aayog.The guidelines aim to boost awareness by raising DR screening rates to 80% and ensuring at least 50% follow-up, anchored in a unified message — “Check yearly and See Clearly.” They recommend leveraging chemists, laboratories, PHCs, corporates, community groups and mass media to reach people with diabetes, supported by counselling, SMS reminders and standard IEC materials. Tele-ophthalmology, AI-based triage and cost-of-blindness modelling are encouraged to improve access, with public dashboards to track screening and follow-up.You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Gold Rate Today in Delhi | Silver Rate Today in DelhiOn treatment, the document outlines a tiered system: primary care centres should focus on diabetes control and referral; secondary centres can initiate anti-VEGF, bispecific IVI, steroids and PRP; and tertiary hospitals will manage advanced disease and surgery. The guidelines also propose mobile laser units, expanded insurance coverage, ABHA-linked records, image-based documentation, strengthening public hospitals under AB PM-JAY, research on emerging therapies and national registries to improve planning and continuity of care.Experts warned that with diabetes appearing earlier, lifetime risk of DR rises steeply — nearly 80% of those living with diabetes for 20 years develop it.Despite this, India’s latest national survey of 93,000 people shows only 10% of diabetics undergo DR screening, far below the WHO/SEARO target of 80% by 2030. DR affects 18% of urban and 10.4% of rural diabetics, putting nearly one in five urban patients at risk of vision loss. Early detection can prevent most blindness, yet awareness remains low.Dr Rajesh Saini said the updated guidelines will strengthen early detection, especially in underserved areas.Dr Praveen Vashist from AIIMS highlighted the cross-sector collaboration driving these efforts.Dr Monika Puri urged all diabetics to get an annual retina check-up, calling DR “largely preventable.”About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAfter 5th August 2019…’ Army Chief Counters Mehbooba’s Charge Against Centre Over J&K SituationChennai Gripped By Panic As Bomb Threats Target MK Stalin, Ajith Kumar, Top Tamil Nadu Personalities’Snow Must Melt’: Army Chief Dwivedi Details How India China Relations Shifted After 2024 TalksIndia Sends Strong Warning To Pakistan As Army Chief Says The Real Movie Begins After Op SindoorBangladesh On Edge: Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina Rejects Evidence, Son Issues Threat Before Tribunal VerdictOver 40 Indians From Hyderabad Travelling From Mecca To Medina Feared Killed in Saudi Bus CrashBangladesh Braces For Sheikh Hasina Judgment Amid Crude Bomb Attacks And Emergency Security MeasuresDonald Trump Signals Harsh Sanctions On Russia’s Trading Partners With India On List For Oil Trade“We Need India”: Moniruzzaman Urges Closer Ties, Demands Transparent 2026 Bangladesh ElectionsNIA Arrests Alleged Aide Of ‘Suicide Bomber’ Umar Nabi In Delhi Terror Attack123PhotostoriesNo more toll delays? 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NEW DELHI: In the next two decades, Indians facing the threat of going blind due to diabetic retinopathy (DR) could well exceed the entire population of Sri Lanka. This may sound alarming, but data indicates that by 2045, more than 125 million Indians will be living with diabetes — and of these, 16.9%, or over 21 million people, are projected to develop diabetic retinopathy. Data also shows that 4% to 5% of all people with diabetes — about 5 to 6 million — may lose their eyesight if timely action is not taken.Aware of this growing threat, the government is seeking to tackle DR through a unified, India-specific framework with the newly released Revised National Guidelines for the Management of Diabetic Retinopathy (2025). The guidelines were launched by VISION 2020 at a one-day National Summit on Diabetic Retinopathy held on Friday, bringing together 200 experts from across the country. The chief guest at the event was Dr VK Paul, member, NITI Aayog.The guidelines aim to boost awareness by raising DR screening rates to 80% and ensuring at least 50% follow-up, anchored in a unified message — “Check yearly and See Clearly.” They recommend leveraging chemists, laboratories, PHCs, corporates, community groups and mass media to reach people with diabetes, supported by counselling, SMS reminders and standard IEC materials. Tele-ophthalmology, AI-based triage and cost-of-blindness modelling are encouraged to improve access, with public dashboards to track screening and follow-up.On treatment, the document outlines a tiered system: primary care centres should focus on diabetes control and referral; secondary centres can initiate anti-VEGF, bispecific IVI, steroids and PRP; and tertiary hospitals will manage advanced disease and surgery. The guidelines also propose mobile laser units, expanded insurance coverage, ABHA-linked records, image-based documentation, strengthening public hospitals under AB PM-JAY, research on emerging therapies and national registries to improve planning and continuity of care.Experts warned that with diabetes appearing earlier, lifetime risk of DR rises steeply — nearly 80% of those living with diabetes for 20 years develop it.Despite this, India’s latest national survey of 93,000 people shows only 10% of diabetics undergo DR screening, far below the WHO/SEARO target of 80% by 2030. DR affects 18% of urban and 10.4% of rural diabetics, putting nearly one in five urban patients at risk of vision loss. Early detection can prevent most blindness, yet awareness remains low.Dr Rajesh Saini said the updated guidelines will strengthen early detection, especially in underserved areas.Dr Praveen Vashist from AIIMS highlighted the cross-sector collaboration driving these efforts.Dr Monika Puri urged all diabetics to get an annual retina check-up, calling DR “largely preventable.”
