Diabetic retinopathy or diabetic eye disease consists of a group of eye disorders that are caused by diabetes, especially in those with uncontrolled blood sugars.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Longstanding high blood sugars can damage the tiny blood vessels or capillaries in the retina which is the light sensitive portion at the back of the eye. These blood vessels in become fragile and can bleed or leak of protein and fluid into the retina, leading to decrease and even loss of vision.
Over time, new abnormal blood vessels can also grow on the surface of the retina, which are prone to bleeding and scarring, and can cause loss of vision. This is diabetic retinopathy.
When diabetes affects the central part of the retina called the macula, the disease is diabetic maculopathy or diabetic macular edema.
Diabetes is also associated with an increased risk of incidence and progression of glaucoma and cataract.
What is the best treatment for diabetic retinopathy?
All forms of diabetic eye disease, if not controlled can potentially cause severe vision loss and blindness.
The tests for diabetic retinopathy include:
Dilated fundus examination
Fundus photo
Fundus fluorescein angiography
Macular OCT
Treatment for diabetic retinopathy includes a combination of the following:
Strict BP, blood sugar and cholesterol control
Retinal laser
Intra-vitreal injections of anti VEGF and/ or steroids
Vitreo-retinal surgery, if indicated.
Which is the best diabetic retinopathy treatment hospital in Delhi?
Deciding the “best diabetic retinopathy treatment hospital in Delhi” is not easy. If we objectively evaluate all the treatment facilities, in terms of training experience of doctors, and access to technology, as well as patient care and ease of access, there are several hospitals in Delhi-NCR that you can choose from. These include AIIMS, Eye 7, Centre for Sight, Bharti Eye, Shroff Eye Center and also, several smaller stand-alone clinics.
Since it is almost impossible to name any one as the best diabetic retinopathy treatment hospital in Delhi, we are naming one hospital from each class, so you find it easier to choose where to go to. The best from amongst all eye hospitals and clinics would be Dr. R P Centre at AIIMS (government eye hospital), the Eye 7 hospital (private eye hospital) and Shroff Charity eye Hospital (charitable eye hospital).
When choosing from amongst these you must remember that the patient’s experience will usually not be satisfactory in both government and charitable institutions due to the crowds there, with long waiting lists and multiple visits before getting to see a super specialists and investigations. On the other hand, there will be an incremental cost in private hospitals for investigations and lasers/ injections. You must remember that even government hospitals like AIIMS do not provide these services (for example, intravitreal injections) free of cost.
If you are travelling to India for your treatment, then a private hospital like the Eye 7 hospitals is the best diabetic retinopathy treatment hospital in Delhi for you. This is because of their special international patient help desk which can facilitate your travel, visa and financial counseling, while also providing help with accommodation and interpreters.