Eye Care
Diabetic Eye Care
Timely treatment and proper follow-up can reduce the risk of blindness from diabetic retinopathy by 95%.
Diabetes is the leading cause of preventable blindness in working-age adults worldwide. In India, over 77 million people live with diabetes — and a significant proportion will develop diabetic eye disease in their lifetime. The encouraging truth is that with timely specialist care and disciplined follow-up, up to 95% of cases of severe vision loss from diabetic retinopathy are preventable. Dr. Mala R. Zala's focused approach to diabetic eye disease has protected the vision of thousands of patients across Panvel and Navi Mumbai.
What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Persistently high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels supplying the retina — the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. The disease progresses through defined stages:
- Mild Non-Proliferative Retinopathy (NPDR) — microaneurysms visible on fundoscopy; vision often unaffected
- Moderate & Severe NPDR — haemorrhages, hard exudates, cotton wool spots; increasing risk
- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) — new fragile blood vessels grow; high risk of vitreous haemorrhage
- Diabetic Macular Oedema (DMO) — fluid leaks into the macula causing central vision blurring
- Advanced Disease — tractional retinal detachment and irreversible blindness without treatment
Our Examination & Monitoring Protocol
Early detection is key. Our diabetic eye screening includes:
- Dilated fundus examination — comprehensive assessment of retina, disc and macula
- Slit-lamp biomicroscopy
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) — cross-sectional imaging of the macula to detect oedema
- Fundus photography for baseline documentation and serial comparison
- Frequency tailored to stage: annually for no retinopathy, every 3–6 months for NPDR
Treatment Options
Management depends on stage and is co-ordinated with your endocrinologist or diabetologist:
- Systemic optimisation — tight glycaemic, blood pressure, and lipid control is the most important intervention
- Anti-VEGF intravitreal injections (Ranibizumab, Bevacizumab, Aflibercept) — first-line for DMO
- Focal and grid laser photocoagulation — targeted treatment to seal leaking blood vessels
- Pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) — for severe NPDR and PDR to reduce neovascularisation
- Vitreoretinal surgery referral for advanced traction or vitreous haemorrhage
Lifestyle and Prevention
The greatest impact on diabetic eye disease comes from systemic diabetes management. Every 1% reduction in HbA1c reduces the risk of retinopathy development by 37% and progression by 37%. Dr. Mala works closely with the patient's diabetologist to ensure a coordinated care approach, with clear glycaemic targets, blood pressure goals, and a defined annual eye review schedule for every diabetic patient.
Dr. Mala R. Zala
MBBS, MS · Ophthalmologist