Diabetes is one of Indonesia’s fastest-rising health threats, affecting more than 10 million adults. Beyond blood sugar, the disease silently damages organs—including the eyes, where it can lead to blindness.

A research team led by Dr. Raden Maula Rifada from the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, studied the link between retinal thickness, ganglion cell layer damage, and reduced blood perfusion in patients with type 2 diabetes. Using advanced optical imaging technology, they examined how diabetes affects not just the eye but also the nerves within it.

The findings revealed that patients with diabetes often showed thinner retinal and ganglion cell layers, alongside reduced blood flow. These changes signal early damage to both vision and brain-related pathways, long before patients notice symptoms. “By looking into the eye, we can actually see the brain’s health and the effects of diabetes on the nervous system,” Dr. Rifada explained.

This research could transform diabetes care. If eye imaging becomes part of routine check-ups, doctors can detect complications earlier and prevent blindness. For patients, it means more than preserving sight—it could also help predict risks for stroke or cognitive decline, conditions closely linked with diabetes-related vascular damage.

By connecting vision care to broader public health, Universitas Padjadjaran contributes to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being. The study reinforces Unpad’s leadership in integrating technology and medicine, showing how innovation at a local hospital can generate global insights.