Responding to the Call: Advancing Action on Diabetic Eye Disease in China

Ten years ago, in 2014, the Ophthalmology and Endocrinology branches of the Chinese Medical Association issued a historic Call to Action, urging greater awareness, early detection, and collaboration to prevent diabetic eye disease. A decade later, the question is no longer why action is needed, but how to deliver it.

On September 28^th 2025, eye health and diabetes leaders gathered in Beijing for a Diabetic Eye Disease Roundtable, co-hosted by the National Prevention of Blindness Committee and the IAPB. The meeting brought together representatives from public and private hospitals, NGOs, academic institutions, and the private sector, uniting experts across ophthalmology and endocrinology to chart the next phase of action.

From Commitment to Action

The roundtable served as a milestone in taking stock of progress since 2014. Participants reflected on advances in clinical care and awareness while recognising persistent challenges such as unequal access, gaps in coordination, and the growing burden of diabetes in China. The conversation moved from reflection to action, focusing on how to operationalise national strategies and integrate diabetic eye disease prevention into broader health system reform.

Innovation Driving Change

China’s leadership in digital health and technology is reshaping what’s possible in diabetic eye care. Participants highlighted new approaches such as employing artificial intelligence for community-based screening and using systemic and retinal biomarkers to detect early changes before vision loss occurs. These innovations, when linked to person-centred care pathways, can help make screening and treatment more efficient, equitable, and sustainable.

Shared Leadership and Collaboration

The event featured contributions from leading clinicians and policymakers from both the ophthalmology and endocrinology sectors.

Professor Wang Ningli, Chair of the Chinese National Prevention of Blindness Committee, emphasised that diabetic eye disease has become “a national public-health challenge, not a specialist problem.” He noted that the issue is not limited to diabetic retinopathy alone, and that “glaucoma, cataract, and refractive changes linked to diabetes are equally blinding, yet often neglected in people living with the condition.” Professor Wang urged a broader and more integrated approach to prevention, diagnosis, and long-term care.

Professor Ji Linong, Director of Endocrinology at Peking University People’s Hospital and an Honorary Fellow of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) underscored the importance of continued partnership between the diabetes and eye health communities, from data sharing and referral systems to patient education and multidisciplinary clinics.

Dr Fabrizio D’Esposito, Western Pacific Head of Region at the IAPB, noted that the roundtable was about “translating past commitments into tangible, multisectoral action,” building a bridge between policy, practice, and innovation.

Launching the Chinese Version of the IDF–IAPB Policy Brief

A highlight of the event was the launch of the Chinese translation of the IDF–IAPB Joint Policy Brief on Diabetic Retinopathy, which provides evidence-based recommendations for early detection, prevention, and treatment. The brief will serve as a tool for policymakers and practitioners across China to strengthen integrated, patient-centred approaches to diabetic eye care.

Global Momentum, Local Leadership

The roundtable forms part of a global initiative sponsored by AbbVie, advancing advocacy on diabetic eye disease in key countries around the world. In China, the event was made possible through the invaluable logistics support of The Fred Hollows Foundation, whose leadership and coordination helped bring together diverse partners across health sectors.

Looking Ahead

As China continues to expand access to diabetes and eye care services, collaboration between sectors will be key to success. The Beijing roundtable reaffirmed a shared commitment to ensuring that no person living with diabetes loses their sight to a preventable condition – and to moving from vision to action.

Read the Chinese-language IDF–IAPB Policy Brief here