Diabetic retinopathy screening in young adults

Title : Diabetic retinopathy screening in young adults

Abstract:

 This Poster is to highlight the importance, methods, and outcomes of early DR screening in young adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

A measurable proportion of young diabetics show early retinal microvascular changes (microaneurysms, dot-blot hemorrhages, hard exudates). Poor glycaemic control and longer disease duration correlate strongly with progression. Fundus photography enables efficient detection, while OCT helps identify macular oedema—an important cause of visual impairment. Early screening increases detection of non-proliferative DR and reduces risk of progression to advanced stages.

Young adults with diabetes require early and periodic DR screening regardless of symptoms. Integrating fundus photography and OCT-based evaluation into routine diabetic care improves early detection and enables timely intervention, reducing long-term visual morbidity.

Biography:

Panav Meherda is a second-year medical student at the Army College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. His academic interests include ophthalmology and emerging biomedical technologies. He is currently working on a project focused on diabetic retinopathy screening in young adults, with emphasis on early detection and preventive interventions. He is also associated with NEST (Network of Student Leaders), a student-led initiative in India that promotes leadership, collaboration, and innovation through workshops, projects, and mentorship. Within NEST, he contributes to the project “Combating Heatwaves,” addressing community-level strategies for climate resilience.