Delhi's vast infrastructure for treating eye diseases are the best in the country, yet these resources are not utilised to the fullest due to lack of awareness among the people, said Dr Amit Khosla, consultant eye surgeon, Sir Ganga Ram hospital here on Wednesday.

“The city has 12,000 opthalmologists and approximately 80 eye care centres. India’s doctors treat 40 percent of world’s cataract cases but it is sad that our own people go untreated for these diseases,” said Dr Khosla who is also secretary, Delhi Opthalmologist Society. He was speaking at a conference organised by the DMA and the DOS to spread awareness on diabetic retinopathy, blindness caused due to diabetes.

Eye diseases and blindness are one of the first signs of diabetes in a healthy individual which can be controlled if diagnosed and treated early, said Dr Narendra Saini, Delhi Medical Association (DMA) president.

“Diabetes is a silent killer. Over 50 percent patients who go for eye check-up are not aware that they are suffering from diabetes,” said Saini.

Diabetes is the only non-communicable disease declared as an epidemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO). To spread awareness on the same, screening camps will be set up at 25 centres in Delhi on January 16 by the DMA and DOS where patients will be given free blood sugar and eye check-up. If identified at its inset, the eye diseases can be delayed by 10-15 years in diabetics, informed Dr Khosla.