KARACHI, Nov 1: Growing incidence of diabetes among the local population, currently estimated to have a prevalence rate of around 25 per cent, has led to a surge in the incidence rate of diabetes-induced cataract and glaucoma among the adult population of the country.

Doctors fearing that the disease would emerge to be the major cause of blindness in Pakistan during the next ten years, stressed the need to sensitize the public about the fact that diabetes-induced blindness is preventable.

Dr Rehana Hasan said that diabetics are more prone to develop cataract at a much younger age as compared to nondiabetics and inefficient management of diabetes often exposes patients to diabetic retinopathy, ultimately leading to blindness.

She, however, regretted that diabetic patients are generally unaware of their increased susceptibility to glaucoma and thus ignore the significance of getting their eyes medically examined at regular intervals.

“This is all the more important as indicating factors of glaucoma are not very evident, while diabetics have three per cent increased chances to have the disease,” Dr. Hasan said.

According to Dr Ahmer Farooqui, regular examination by a qualified ophthalmologist may help patients seek timely medical intervention and thus reduce any chance of severe complications.

He also warned that irrational medication could lead to blindness and specifically referred to a medicine prescribed to patients suffering from T.B and which is needed to be taken under careful and constant surveillance of qualified physicians.

With reference to partial blindness and absolute loss of sight among children, the doctors cited vitamin-A deficiency as a major cause, adding that parents through the right choice of food can help protect their offspring against the disability.

All people above 40 were advised to ensure regular examination of their eyes by qualified ophthalmologists.—APP