It was revealed at a press conference held at the Health Promotion Bureau that one in five of the adult population in Sri Lanka is suffering from diabetes.
Dr. Kapila Banduthilaka, a specialist at the National Eye Hospital of Sri Lanka, who participated in the conference, further stated that one-third of the adult population suffering from diabetes also suffers from eye diseases.
"According to the latest data, we are currently seeing a 73% increase in diabetes. It has been identified that 1/9 of the world's adult population has diabetes. If we look at the prevalence of diabetes in Sri Lanka, it can be said that between 23% and 30% of adults have diabetes. That means that one in every five adults has diabetes.
1/3 of that group has eye diseases. 11% of that group will go blind if not treated. Diabetes especially affects the eyes. Therefore, our working people are particularly affected. On average, they lose an income of 923 million per year. Now, if you go to the eye hospital, the majority are not old people. Many are between the ages of 40 and 50.
We can prevent this disease. There is no reason for these people to go blind. In the early stages, it can be stopped with things like control and changing the diet. Let's say we couldn't stop it, but if it comes at the early stages of this disease, we have treatment options." Dr. Kapila Bandutilaka said.