New Delhi (NVI): A study claims that over 191 million people across the world will develop ‘Diabetic Retinopathy’ by the year 2030, a diabetes complication that affects eyes. It is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina).
The complication is the primary cause of blindness in working-age adults and is one of the leading microvascular complications today, as per the study. Statins have demonstrated the ability to decrease the possibility of diabetic retinopathy development in patients with type 2 diabetes. Statins are a class of drugs often prescribed by doctors to help lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
The population-based cohort study contains longitudinal evidence that was conducted under senior author Yih-Shiou Hwang, MD, Ph.D., of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taoyuan, Taiwan, and his professional colleagues.
Approximately 37,894 Taiwanese subjects participated in this research between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2013. They were recognized in the National Health Insurance Research Database as having type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia.
Within the cohort analysis, outcomes were contrasted between those subjects taking statins and those not taking statins. Measures were observed at all stages of diabetic retinopathy and treatment for vision-threating diabetic retinopathy. No lipid-lowering agent of any kind, except statins, was authorized to be used by subjects during the study.
Patients taking statins were detected to have a compelling lower rate of diabetic retinopathy and need for treatments for vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy than those not taking statins.
Safety outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events, de novo hemodialysis, and diabetic neuropathy, and diabetic foot ulcers. Complications of diabetic retinopathy, including vitreous haemorrhage and tractional retinal detachment, were restricted, and no proliferative diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema were established.
In India, a National Blindness & Visual Impairment Survey (2015-18) found Diabetic Retinopathy responsible for 0.8% of visual impairment in the surveyed population.
The information was given by Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Ashwini Kumar Choubey in the Parliament. He also added that screening for the condition has started in some states of India.
