Care for Vision: Retinal Health in Diabetes – Delhi Edition

Key highlights from the event:

Patient-centred dialogue:

A unique, interactive, bilingual discussion in English and Hindi with ophthalmologists, vitreoretinal specialists, endocrinologists, and people living with diabetes explored prevention, timely screening, and access gaps in diabetic eye care.

Inaugural address by Dr. Shalini Kelkar (ADG, NCDs, MoHFW):

Dr. Kelkar emphasised that non-communicable diseases and mental health are development challenges shaped by social, economic, and environmental determinants. She highlighted India’s whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach through the National Multisectoral Action Plan (NMAP), campaigns such as Fit India, and integration of NCD and mental health services into Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) under Ayushman Bharat.

She underscored the importance of early detection of diabetic complications like retinopathy and strengthening telemedicine and community-based screening through the National NCD Portal and eSanjeevani. Dr. Kelkar reiterated that people living with NCDs must be at the centre of every solution and called for a patient-centric approach to achieving a sustainable, healthy future.

Clinical and community insights:

Panel 1: Protecting Your Vision – The Role of Early Detection and Management featured experts from AIIMS, Safdarjung, Shroff Charity Eye Hospital, and Sitaram Bhartia Hospital, moderated by Dr. Nikhil Pal (Max Healthcare). They discussed risk factors, early symptoms, and the importance of routine screening.

Panel 2: Hope for Every Eye – Advances in Diabetic Eye Care and Access featured experts from AIIMS, GNEC who called for improved diagnostic access (OCT), inclusion of modern therapies such as intravitreal injections under Ayushman Bharat, stronger public-private partnerships, and meaningful engagement of people with lived experience.

Government initiatives in Delhi:

Dr. Aparna, NPCB In-charge, shared progress under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI), emphasising integration of retinal screening within NCD clinics and collaboration between eye care and endocrinology teams.

This workshop also highlighted the urgent and often overlooked burden of retinal complications among people with diabetes in India. While treatment options are available, they remain out of reach for many due to high out-of-pocket costs. People with diabetes already face the significant daily burden of insulin and other essential medications & adding preventable vision loss further impacts quality of life and livelihood. There is a pressing need for financial support mechanisms and active involvement from government health programmes to ensure equitable access to preventive eye screening and care.

As we mark World Diabetes Day on 14th November, Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation urges everyone to work together towards preventing avoidable vision loss and ensuring that no one loses sight to diabetes.

This was part of a national workshop series which began in Mumbai, followed by Hyderabad, Bengaluru & Delhi. The initiative aligns with the United Nations High-Level Meeting on NCDs (Non Communicable Diseases) in 2025, reinforcing the need for community-led, multisectoral efforts to protect vision and improve diabetes outcomes in India.

For media or partnership enquiries, contact:

nupur.lalvani@bluecircle.foundation or WhatsApp 9833910160

Website: www.bluecircle.foundation