Hope for Diabetics at risk of blindness

Brand new research launched at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Manchester is bringing hope to hundreds of people with diabetes who lose their sight each year as a side-effect of the disease.

People with diabetes commonly experience blindness, or a reduction in sight, when a lack of oxygen at the back of the eye causes tiny blood vessels to overgrow into the vitreous humour, which is a jelly like substance. This jelly like substance is removed during surgery to treat this problem.

Pharmaceutical researchers at the University of East Anglia have revealed that they are developing an artificial form of this vitreous humour so that it can be replaced following surgery or if it has been damaged or degenerated for other reasons.

Biologist Janine Morris working with Pharmacist Susan Barker and Biologist Julie Sanderson at the School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, is identifying the essential characteristics of the human and pig vitreous humour so that they can be mimicked artificially.

She says: “I am currently making a gel that imitates the vitreous humour and which is non-cytotoxic to the human eye. The substance will also include anti-angiogenic drugs to prevent the blood vessels re-growing and the original damage re-occurring.”

Placing this artificial jelly into the damaged eye should certainly improve and potentially restore lost sight. Janine Morris says that the research, which is in the preliminary stages, is good news for diabetes sufferers who will be protected against recurring damage. “The idea that we can potentially improve and maintain sight for diabetes sufferers by replacing the vitreous humour is amazing,” she says.

The vitreous humour is a clear gel-like substance that fills the space between the lens and the retina of the eye. It is 99% water but also contains collagen fibres, inorganic salts, acids and sugar.

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Article adapted by MD Only Weblog from original press release.
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For further information please visit:
The University of East Anglia

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among people aged 20-74 in Minnesota. Each year, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), between 400 and 700 Minnesotans go blind due to diabetes complications. Even when blood sugar is controlled, 60% of those having diabetes for more than 15 years will experience some form of diabetic eye disease in their lifetime.November is American Diabetes Month. This is a good time to schedule your annual dilated eye exam, urges the Minnesota Optometric Association (MOA), because type 2 diabetes can be caught early with this exam, and treated. MDH statistics show that of the 276,000 Minnesotans who have diabetes, 96,000 are unaware that they have it.

Currently, only eight in 10 Minnesotans with diabetes have a dilated eye exam every two years. “Most people do not realize that diabetics are twice as likely to suffer from cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. People may have these diseases before they are aware of it,” said Dr. Dirk Colby, president of the MOA and a doctor of optometry with West Metro Ophthalmology, Golden Valley and Plymouth, Minnesota. “It is critical for diabetic patients to come in every year,” said Dr. Colby. “Waiting two years or even worse, not coming in at all, can have a catastrophic effect.”

Diabetes is taking its toll on Americans and Minnesotans with eye diseases and type 2 diabetes is increasing rapidly due to the increase in obesity and decrease in exercise. These two risk factors are the leading causes of type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic retinopathy, the most common diabetic eye disease, is the leading cause of blindness in Minnesota, and overall in the United States. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. In some people with diabetic retinopathy, retinal blood vessels may swell and leak fluid; in others, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. These changes may result in vision loss or blindness.

Cataracts occur when the normally clear lens in the eye becomes cloudy, impairing vision. Clouded vision may make it more difficult to read, drive, or see clearly. Glaucoma, an increase in fluid pressure inside the eye, leads to optic nerve damage and vision loss.

To help prevent diabetic eye diseases, the American Diabetes Association recommends people suffering from diabetes should:

• Keep your blood sugar under good control. People who keep their blood sugar levels closer to normal are less likely to have retinopathy.
• Bring high blood pressure down. High blood pressure can make eye problems worse.
• Get a dilated eye exam by a family eye doctor every year. Your optometrist will use drops to enlarge your pupils to look inside your eyes.

The Minnesota Optometric Association (MOA) recommends you see your family eye doctor right way if you have any of the following problems:

• Your vision is blurry.
• You see double, spots or floaters
• One or both eyes hurt
• You feel pressure in your eye
• You can’t see things at the periphery as well as before
• You have trouble reading

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Article adapted by MD Only Weblog from original press release.
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Contact:
Jim Meffort-Nelson
minnesota.aoa.org