Is Gujarat's sweet tooth robbing it of vision?

Diabetic Gujarat is staring at vision problems, warn ophthalmologists in the state which has registered a rise in diabetic patients complaining of problems related to the eyes.
Diabetologists and ophthalmologists blame ignorance and the casual attitude of diabetics towards their condition for the alarming rise.  

"I have seen a rise in number of diabetic patients complaining of vision problems. Cataract and diabetic retinopathy are some of the common problems," said Dr Deepak C Mehta, director and professor of ophthalmology at Civil Hospital.

RK Sharma, a diabetic, said until he came to the hospital he was not aware that his condition could lead to problems with his sight.

"I have had diabetes for 25 years now. I have cataract in my eye which eventually needs to be operated upon," he said. Dr Mehta said if ignored for long patients could even end up losing their vision. According to him, if a diabetic does not manage to keep his sugar levels under check then he is more likely to have some or the other problems with his vision after 10 years.

Dr Mayur Patel of Swasthya Diabetes Care said the incidence of the lifestyle disease is the highest in Gujarat. "We found after a study that 66% people are unaware of their diabetic condition, so one can imagine the awareness level as far as vision loss related to the condition is concerned," said Dr Patel.

"Ideally a diabetic should get himself routinely screened for diabetic retinopathy. But most people don't do it because they are not aware of the need," said Dr Patel.

He said that if undetected diabetic retinopathy can also cause loss of vision. "Most of the cases of blindness in the 20 to 24 age group are related to retinopathy," he said.

Dr Jigeesh Desai, an ophthalmologist with Shalby Hospital said the problem is aggravated by the fact that people don't take diabetes seriously. "Most believe that it is a non-threatening disease.”