India's Invisible Diabetes Crisis: Saving Sight, Securing Futures

On World Diabetes Day 2025, the focus rightly remains on managing blood sugar, diet, and lifestyle. However, a silent, pervasive threat continues to loom for India's diabetic population: diabetic retinopathy (DR). As of November 2025, India is now home to over 10.1 crore people suffering from diabetes and a staggering 13.6 crore being pre-diabetic, earning the country the unfortunate title of "diabetes capital of the world."

Simultaneously, India is facing an invisible burden of retinal diseases, with nearly 1.1 crore Indians suffering from various retinal disorders. Diabetic retinopathy, the most common cause of preventable blindness among working-age adults globally, is particularly prevalent in India's diabetic population. This insidious condition, caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the retina's blood vessels, is often asymptomatic in its early stages.

The tragic reality is that a staggering 90% of patients with diabetes are unaware that the disease can impact their vision and have never had a retinal examination. By the time vision loss occurs, the disease has often progressed to a severe stage, leaving limited options for effective intervention. This awareness and screening failure is a significant barrier to national productivity, crippling individuals and placing an immense socio-economic burden on their families and the healthcare system.