Diabetic retinopathy (DR), the most common complication of diabetes mellitus, is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in middle-aged and elderly in the world. It has been estimated that 51 per cent of all those with blindness due to DR globally and 56 per cent of those with visual impairment due to DR come from the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. This is mainly due to the fact that management and awareness of DR in the APAC region is limited and sub-optimal. This year, as we celebrate Word Diabetes Day on November 14, we must address the urgent need to improve the screening and diagnosis of DR within the APAC countries
