Brazil: Diabetic retinopathy affects one in three patients

According to the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology (CBO), one in three people living with diabetes in Brazil will develop diabetic retinopathy at some point in their lives. This condition, caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the retina's blood vessels, is a leading cause of preventable vision loss among working-age adults.

Data indicates the disease affects between 24% and 39% of diabetics in the country. The risk increases significantly with the duration of the condition; after 20 years, approximately 90% of type 1 diabetics and 60% of type 2 diabetics may exhibit some degree of retinopathy. CBO President Maria Auxiliadora Frazão warned that the disease often progresses silently without early symptoms, which can delay diagnosis.

To raise awareness, the CBO is launching the ‘24 Days for Diabetes’ campaign, running from the first of the month through November. The organization emphasizes that early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the risk of blindness to less than 5%. The disease is noted as a significant public health issue with substantial economic and social impacts, affecting public policy and the National Social Security Institute (INSS).