National, 14th November 2025 — VISION 2020: The Right to Sight – India, announced a comprehensive two-stage program culminating in the National Summit on Diabetic Retinopathy, observed on World Diabetes Day. The key highlight of the summit was to launch the updated, comprehensive guidelines on Management of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) in India, and foster a nationwide effort to combat diabetes-related vision loss, a rapidly escalating public health challenge in India.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a rapidly escalating public health challenge in India, with over 101 million people currently living with the condition and an additional 21.5 million in the pre-diabetic stage. The number is projected to rise to 109 million by 2035. One of the most serious and sight-threatening complications of diabetes is Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), a microvascular condition affecting the retina and a leading cause of vision loss among working-age adults.

In India, epidemiological data show that DR affects approximately 18% of urban and 10.4% of rural populations with diabetes meaning nearly one in five urban diabetics is at risk of vision impairment. While early detection and timely intervention can prevent blindness in most cases, awareness levels remain low, not only among patients but also among some healthcare practitioners.

With the rising burden of diabetes and its related complications, strengthening awareness, promoting early screening, and updating management guidelines are crucial to reducing the preventable impact of diabetic retinopathy across the country.

As part of this comprehensive two-stage program, two high-level consultations were organized: the World Retina Day Consultation, focused on drafting the new national guidelines, and the World Diabetes Day National Summit, dedicated to policy engagement and public awareness through activities such as an awareness rally and walkathon to encourage regular diabetic screening.

The prestigious one-day National Summit on Diabetic Retinopathy, held on November 14, 2025, in New Delhi, brought together key stakeholders from across sectors including representatives from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, non-governmental organizations, industry leaders, and the medical community to drive collaborative action on preventing vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy.

Distinguished speakers and experts in attendance included Dr. Rajendra P. Joshi, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India; Dr. V.K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog; Prof. Praveen Vashist, Dr. R.P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, Dr. J.S. Titiyal, President Elect, AIOS; Dr. Manisha Agarwal, Ophthalmologist/Eye Surgeon, Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, Delhi; Dr. Ranjana Mittal, Senior Consultant – Ophthalmology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rajesh Saini, President, VISION 2020, India, said, “At VISION 2020: The Right to Sight India, our mission has always been to eliminate avoidable blindness and ensure equitable access to quality eye care across the country. The launch of the updated Diabetic Retinopathy guidelines, in collaboration with is a significant stride towards that goal. Diabetic Retinopathy is a growing public health concern, silently threatening the vision of millions. These new guidelines rooted in expert consensus and enriched with the latest diagnostic and management protocols—will empower healthcare providers to detect and intervene earlier, especially in underserved communities. By updating our 2015 DR Manual and aligning it with current best practices, we aim to drive nationwide awareness, strengthen clinical capacity, and reinforce the message that vision loss from diabetes is preventable with timely action.”

The event focused on policy integration strategies to promote early screening and timely intervention for diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of preventable vision loss among working-age adults. The discussions reflected the incorporation of advanced global standards and technological innovations in screening and treatment, aimed at enhancing early detection and management practices nationwide. This renewed focus underscores a commitment to patient-centric care and collaborative action in addressing the growing burden of diabetes-related eye diseases. Experts at the event emphasized the importance of early diagnosis, timely treatment, and multi-sector partnerships to achieve long-term improvements in eye health outcomes.

Dr. Praveen Vashist, Secretary, VISION 2020, India, stated, “We believe that innovation in healthcare thrives on meaningful collaboration. The updated Diabetic Retinopathy guidelines are a testament to what’s possible when public health institutions, government bodies, and industry leaders like India come together with a shared vision. This partnership ensures that these guidelines are not just clinical documents they are catalysts for systemic change. By aligning with national health priorities and integrating into existing care pathways, we aim to translate these recommendations into real-world impact, especially for vulnerable and underserved populations. Our goal is to ensure that every individual at risk of vision loss due to diabetes has access to timely screening, diagnosis, and care—regardless of geography or socioeconomic status.”

Dr. Monika Puri, Chief Commercial Officer, Roche Products (India) Pvt. Ltd. shared, “Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness, yet many people remain unaware that timely eye check-ups can save their vision. On World Diabetes Day, I urge everyone living with diabetes to get a simple annual retina screening. Early detection and treatment can protect sight and improve quality of life. Together, we can reduce avoidable vision loss and ensure that every person with diabetes receives the eye care they deserve.”