Page 118 - The Indian Optician Digital Edition March-April 2021

DIABETES AND
PREDIABETES
– WHAT OPTICIANS AND
OPTOMETRISTS SHOULD KNOW?
PREMA K CHANDE
B.Optom, M.Optom,
DBM, FIACLE, FAAO ( PhD),
Faculty, Lotus College of
Optometry, Mumbai
| MAR-APR 2021 | 114 OPTOMETRY
Mar-Apr 2021 SK.indd 62
India is fast becoming the World's Diabetes capital, overtaking
China in the race. The Asian population, particularly southeast
Asians have a genetic predisposition, and this coupled with
urban, sedentary lifestyles and easy access to processed food is
only speeding up the process. 1-2
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT FOR EYE AND VISION CARE?
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of avoidable
blindness in the world. Diabetics who have poor control or
long-standing diabetes, over several years do develop diabetic
retinopathy. Besides retinopathy, diabetics are also at the risk for
glaucoma and cataract. 3
Eye care professionals need to understand that well before
retinopathy, cataract, or glaucoma precipitates, several
early functional and structural changes are seen in the eyes.
Fluctuating vision, frequent change in spectacle prescription,
blurred vision in reduced lighting conditions due to loss of
contrast sensitivity are few of the symptoms. 4-5
Before performing refraction, it is important to ask the patient
if they have diabetes and also if it is well controlled? Fluctuating
blood glucose levels can lead to transient changes in refraction,
like hyperglycemia can have a myopic shift and on treatment can
move towards hyperopia.
Similarly, if the patients complain of blurred vision in changing
light conditions, this can be easily measured using contrast
sensitivity (offered in digital VA displays) and also available in
standard charts. This will also indicate that the blood glucose
levels are not well controlled.
Eye care professionals can also play an important role in
the prevention of diabetes and its related complications.
26-04-2021 13:39