800,000 Pinoys visually impaired due to diabetes

Around 800,000 Filipinos are unnecessarily suffering from retinopathy, a visual impairment caused by diabetes, an expert from the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology (PAO) said yesterday.

PAO councilor Dr. Ronald Yutangco noted that such figure forms part of the four million diabetic Filipinos who are mostly unaware of their condition.

"I have come across many patients who have become blind due to advanced eye diseases caused by diabetes. That could have been avoided if treatment was immediately sought," Yutangco said.

PAO is currently celebrating "Sight Saving Month" with a mission to operate on 800,000 people with eye defects, particularly cataract, across the country.

Yutangco warned diabetes should never be ignored because it could cause eye disorder and other illnesses.

"A good example is diabetic retinopathy… in this case, the blood vessels of the retina — the light sensitive issue at the back of the eye — become damaged," he said.

He likened the retina to a "film in a camera" which, if not in good condition, displays photographs of poor quality.

"A healthy retina is necessary for good vision. Patients afflicted with this eye disease may not experience any symptoms during the early stages or even in the later stages. In any stage of the disease, though, the patient’s vision may blur," Yutangco said.

He maintained it is important for diabetics to have their eyes examined to ensure that eye complications are prevented.