Vision loss due to complications of diabetes.

According to the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (Ministry of Health), a recent survey showed that approximately 7 million people have diabetes, but more than 50% of them have not been diagnosed; 6 out of 10 diabetic patients have eye complications, but only a small fraction of these are screened and diagnosed early.

It is estimated that from 2016 to the present, there have been approximately 320,527 diabetic macular edema patients in Vietnam. Limited public awareness, limited access to healthcare services, and the burden of costs mean that many people do not receive early intervention. The rate of diabetic eye complications being managed and treated remains very low, leading to irreversible vision loss and blindness.

Dr. Nguyen Trong Khoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, said that the Department is aiming to build a comprehensive management model for diabetic retinopathy and macular edema patients in hospitals to improve the quality of treatment for patients, making an important contribution to the development of ophthalmology in public hospitals, especially at the provincial level.

Accordingly, the period from 2025 to 2027 will focus on building and piloting a comprehensive management model at several key hospitals. Based on the pilot results, guidelines will be issued in 2027, serving as a basis for nationwide expansion during the period from 2028 to 2030, aiming to increase the percentage of diabetic patients receiving eye examinations and monitoring to over 75% by 2030.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mat-thi-luc-do-bien-chung-dai-thao-duong-185250830201350839.htm