VISION 2020: The Right to Sight – India marked World Diabetes Day (14 November) with the announcement of a comprehensive two-stage programme culminating in the National Summit on Diabetic Retinopathy. The summit introduced updated national guidelines for the management of diabetic retinopathy (DR), supported by Roche Products (India), and highlighted the growing urgency of addressing diabetes-related vision loss across the country.
Current epidemiological data indicate that DR affects nearly 18% of people with diabetes in urban areas and 10.4% in rural regions, placing a significant proportion of individuals—particularly in cities—at risk of vision impairment. Despite the preventable nature of most DR-related blindness through early detection and timely treatment, awareness remains inadequate among both patients and some healthcare providers.
The newly released guidelines, developed through expert consensus and informed by advances in diagnostics and treatment, aim to strengthen early detection, streamline clinical decision-making, and expand access to quality eye care, particularly for underserved communities. By updating and modernising the earlier 2015 DR Manual, the initiative seeks to build clinical capacity nationwide and reinforce the message that diabetes-related vision loss can be avoided with timely intervention.
The summit discussions centred on policy integration strategies that prioritise routine screening and evidence-based management of DR, a leading cause of preventable blindness among working-age adults. Experts underscored the importance of adopting global best practices, leveraging technological innovation, and fostering multi-sector partnerships to improve early diagnosis and treatment delivery. The renewed national focus reflects a shared commitment to patient-centric care and coordinated action to reduce the growing burden of diabetes-related eye disease in India.
