Diabetes and diabetes-related complications are on the rise. India and China are global leaders having the highest number of people with Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Diabetes, a multisystem disease, can affect small blood vessels (eye, kidney and nerves)and larger blood vessels in the body (heart and brain).

Diabetes can cause vision loss and blindness affecting various parts of the eye. Studies say Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) could potentially be an epidemic in India in future, given the increasing number of diabetics, especially in urban areas.The Diabetes Atlas, 2015, published by the International Diabetes Federation said that 8.7% Indians — around seven crore — are diabetic. The number is expected to go up to 12 crore by 2040.

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