Smart LED Contact Lenses for Treating Diabetic Retinopathy

(c) POSTECH

A team of scientists from Pohang University of Science and Technology in #SouthKorea and their collaborators have recently developed a smart contact lens-type wearable device to prevent diabetic retinopathy and treat it in its early stages.

New therapeutic approach to treating Age-related Macular Degeneration

Scientists have found that inhibition of Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1), which has been linked to retinal neovascularization and the development of abnormal blood vessels resulting in vision loss, presents a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Their results are reported in The American Journal of Pathology.

Metformin may help in reducing the risk for Macular Degeneration

In a large case-control study using a national database of patients, metformin use was associated with reduced odds of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This association was dose dependent, with the greatest benefit at low to moderate doses. When looking only at patients with diabetes, the authors note preservation of the dose-dependent decrease in the odds of patients developing AMD. Metformin does not appear to be protective in patients with diabetes and coexisting diabetic retinopathy. This study suggests that metformin may be useful as a preventive therapy for AMD and provides the basis for potential prospective clinical trials.

A healthy lifestyle for cardiovascular health also promotes good eye health

In a new study, investigators found that ideal cardiovascular health, which is indicative of a healthy lifestyle, was associated with lower odds for ocular diseases especially diabetic retinopathy. These findings appearing in the American Journal of Medicine, published by Elsevier, suggest that interventions to prevent cardiovascular diseases may also hold promise in preventing ocular diseases.

Smart contact lenses that diagnose and treat diabetes and diabetic retinopathy

(c) POSTECH

What if you could control the secretion of insulin just by wearing contact lenses?

A research team at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) in South Korea developed wirelessly driven a 'smart contact lens' technology that can just that too - it can detect diabetes and further treat diabetic retinopathy just by a person wearing them.

A novel drug for treatment of diabetic retinopathy

(c) Centenary Institute, Sydney, Australia

Scientists at the Centenary Institute have developed a novel drug which could potentially be used to effectively treat patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy often occurs in diabetic patients, even when their blood sugar levels are controlled. In diabetic retinopathy, the tiny blood vessels in the retina are damaged and can leak fluid or haemorrhage, often leading to vision loss.

Regeneron's PANORAMA study for Eylea in Diabetic Retinopathy shows Promise

(c) PMLive

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced positive topline data from its Phase III PANORAMA clinical trial of Eylea (aflibercept) injection in moderately severe to severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy, which affects about eight million people, is the result of microvascular damage to the blood vessels in the retina related to lack of blood sugar control in diabetic patients.

Researchers identify a key protein in Diabetic Retinopathy

Researchers at University of Utah Health have identified a protein, ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6), which is crucial for the development of diabetic retinopathy. Published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, they identified a compound, NAV-2729, which inhibits or blocks ARF6, reducing the chances of development of diabetic retinopathy.

Ranibizumab Found Effective Against Diabetic Retinopathy

In a randomized clinical trial conducted by DRCR.net of more than 300 participants, researchers have found that ranibizumab is an effective alternative to Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) (laser therapy for treating diabetic retinopathy). Results also show that the drug therapy carries fewer side effects than the currently used laser treatment.

Mediterranean Diet May Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy

(c) geneticliteracyproject.org

The Mediterranean diet may protect against diabetic retinopathy, according to a study published in Diabetes Care.

When do you recommend eye exam for a child with type 1 diabetes?

A new study suggests that the occurrence of advanced forms of a diabetic eye disease remains low among children living with diabetes, regardless of how long they have had the disease or their ability to keep blood sugar levels controlled. Researchers are therefore recommending that most children with type 1 diabetes delay annual diabetic retinopathy screenings until age 15, or 5 years after their diabetes diagnosis, whichever occurs later.

Amniotic membrane derived stem cell transplants show benefit in retinal diseases

(c) Cell Transplantation

A team of researchers at the CHA University in South Korea has successfully transplanted mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from human amniotic membranes of the placenta (AMSCs) into laboratory mice modeled with oxygen-induced retinopathy, which is used to simulate many retinal diseases. The treatment aimed at suppressing abnormal angiogenesis (blood vessel growth) which is recognized as the cause of many eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. The researchers reported that the AMSCs successfully migrated to the retinas of the test animals and, because of the growth factors secreted by the cells, were able to suppress retinal neovascularization.

Stem cells for treatment of diabetic retinopathy - positive results in the lab

University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers have taken a significant step forward in their efforts to use stem cells to block vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy, a condition that affects millions of people with diabetes. The researchers have evaluated the best potential sources for adult stem cells to be used for that purpose, determining that cells taken from donors who do not suffer diabetes likely will be more effective than cells taken from patients' own bodies.

New Protein found in diabetic retinopathy may prevent the disease

Researchers have found a new protein that appears to be significantly responsible for the growth of new vessels in the eyes of patients with diabetes. Treatment targeted at this protein is likely to prevent the growth of these blood vessels and thus prevent blindness.

Researchers devise a better way to potentially avert blindness due to diabetic retinopathy

(c) USC Translational Imaging Center

Researchers have developed a new non-invasive technique that images the retina to quickly screen patients for diabetic retinopathy.

FDA approves medical device that helps patients monitor their vision

Vital Art and Science Inc. has a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance to market myVisionTrack, a prescription-only medical device that enables patients with retinal diseases to monitor their vision function between regular visits to their eye-care professional to help ensure they obtain timely care and treatments.

Salicylates may improve retinal function and reduce insulin resistance in retina of type 2 diabetics

Research led by scientists at Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, published in PLoS One in April 2015, has demonstrated that salicylate may improve retinal function by enhancing insulin signaling in the retina of type 2 diabetic animal models and in cultured retinal cells.

Advancements in Retinal Detachment Research Pave the Road to Better Visual Recovery

Editor's notes:

To read more about what is Retinal Detachment, how is it caused, what are the symptoms, and what are the suggested things to do, click here.

Retinal detachment was the first retinal pathology that could be managed with a surgical intervention. Dr Jules Gonin (pictured on the left - credit) came up with a solution to treat this condition. Before that, all patients with retinal detachment were doomed to blindness. His work from 1902 to 1921, when he recognized that a retinal break was the cause of a retinal detachment - and not a consequence as was largely believed those days - helped kickstart the specialty of retinal disease management. Though his technique, referred to as "ignipuncture", is now obsolete, his pioneering work laid the important foundation. Though his work did not gain recognition for quite some time, and was even opposed by many, he finally got his due in 1929 at the International Ophthalmology Congress in Amsterdam. Since then, his legacy has lived on in the eye hospital in Lausanne that bears his name, in the Gonin Medal awarded by the International Council of Ophthalmology, the Club Jules Gonin, and in a street named after his, the very street that he used to walk from home to the hospital every day.

New research reveals significant burden for patients being treated for sight threatening retinal disease

New data presented at the 6th World Congress on Controversies in Ophthalmology shows that the intravitreal injection regimens associated with treating retinal disease can have a detrimental effect on a patient’s quality of life.

New drugs in the pipeline target novel pathways for treatment of diabetic retinopathy

from NEI

There is exciting on-going research in the field of treatments for patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). There is a long list of drugs in the pipeline for treating this disease that affects a significant number of people around the world. Pipeline drugs target novel pathways to treat diabetic eye disease.