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Archive for the ‘Diabetic Retinopathy’ Category

Diabetes Drugs May Increase Risk for Eye Disease

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

A recent study echoed earlier research that the popular diabetes drug Actos may increase the risk of diabetic macular edema (DME).

The medication is currently under scrutiny due to mounting evidence that it also contributes to pulmonary edema and bladder cancer. Eye disease in those who suffer from diabetes is one of the most common causes of blindness among American adults, according to the National Eye Institute.

DME specifically is a condition in which the retina swells and thickens as a result of leaking blood vessels. Blurry vision occurs and worsens as the condition develops; DME can lead to blindness.

According to a study of more than 100,000 patients presented at the American Diabetes Association’s annual meeting in June, those taking Actos and Avandia—a similar diabetes drug that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered be pulled from pharmacies by this November—were three to six times more likely to develop DME than diabetics not taking the drugs.

The research, conducted by the University of Nottingham, indicated that patients who have poor control of their blood sugar or a previous history of macular edema are at an especially high risk for DME if taking Actos or Avandia. Those with these risk factors should talk with their physicians about the potential risks and other possible treatment options.

Please visit our Find an Eye Doctor page to locate an ophthalmologist near you.

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Simple Test During Eye Exams Could Diagnose Diabetes

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

A simple blood test during routine eye exams would likely diagnose millions of cases of Type 2 diabetes, according to a recent Durham University study.

An estimated 150 million people have Type 2 diabetes, which is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults. Tens of millions of people, however, are thought to have undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes, which may only be detected when related health problems arise.

The Durham University research indicates that testing for the disease in unconventional settings such as optometry offices and dental clinics would identify a significant number of instances of Type 2 diabetes in time to begin treatment before complications occur. The study, which was published in the July issue of the British Journal of General Practice, found that 32 percent of 1,000 people visiting an optician for an eye test and presenting risk factors for diabetes were referred to their general physicians for follow-up diagnosis after blood-glucose level tests.

While even most pharmacies have the ability to conduct the basic finger-prick blood test necessary to identify Type 2 diabetes, most diabetes screenings are conducted in doctors’ offices, medical clinics and hospitals. Ophthalmologists and optometrists, however, already have an understanding of diabetes and its effects on eye health; vision care professionals frequently screen diabetes patients for eye diseases.

Dr. Jenny Howse of the Durham University School of Medicine and Health, the study’s lead author and a former optician, said healthcare professionals such as eye doctors and dentists are an untapped resource in identifying diabetes in patients who do not routinely visit their family physicians.

“Opticians could provide routine, non-emergency care and the simple screening can be done outside usual medical settings,” said Howse in the article “Screening and Identifying Diabetes in Optometric Practice: A Prospective Study”.

To learn more about the links between diabetes and vision health, please contact an ophthalmologist near you.

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Newly Developed Implant Treats Macular Edema

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

Five out of every 1000 people over the age of thirty will suffer from some form of RVO (retinal vein occlusion). In RVO, the retinal vein becomes blocked (occluded), causing fluid to build up in the retina and the macula to swell and thicken. This thickening, called macular edema, can cause severe vision loss.

Because of the swelling in their eyes, people with macular edema have trouble with everyday activities like reading, watching TV, and driving. People with RVO have many direct medical costs from this condition, but they also have indirect costs such as loss of income. Previously, procedures such as surgery and laser photocoagulation have been used to treat RVO and macular edema, but these are not always effective.

There is good news, however. Allergan, Inc., a company devoted to developing pharmaceuticals for commercial use, has released a product called Ozurdex which has been clinically proven to treat RVO. Ozurdex is a tiny rod-shaped implant which doctors inject directly into the eye. The rod dissolves and releases dexamethasone, a steroid that reduces inflammation in the eye.

When compared with a placebo, Ozurdex significantly improved patients’ vision and reduced swelling. Research shows that after 8 weeks, 43% of the people who received Ozurdex had vision improvement of at least three lines on an eye chart, and 47% were considered inflammation free.

Ozurdex will help many people suffering from RVO, as well as those affected by diabetic retinopathy, a similar disorder common in diabetic patients. If you have been diagnosed with RVO or diabetic retinopathy, please contact an ophthalmologist near you to discuss your treatment options and to set up an initial consultation today.

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February Is “Save Your Vision Month”

Friday, February 11th, 2011

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) encourages everyone aged 40 and older to schedule a comprehensive eye examination this February. The AAO has designated February “Save Your Vision Month” in a campaign to raise awareness about the need for regular vision exams to screen for age-related eye diseases and conditions.

By 2020, the AAO estimates that about 43 million Americans will be at risk for serious loss vision and even blindness due to age-related eye conditions, such as:

These age-related eye diseases often progress slowly and may not be noticed without regular screenings by a trained eye doctor. Early detection of eye conditions like glaucoma can often be crucial in preventing further vision loss and blindness.

The AAO not only recommends a comprehensive baseline eye examination at age 40, but also encourages adults to increase the frequency of their eye exams as they age. For adults with healthy eyes and no additional risk factors other than age, the AAO recommends regular eye examinations every:

5-10 years for adults under 40
2-4 years for adults 40-54
1-3 years for adults 55-64
1-2 years for adults 65 and older

If you fall into any of these age groups at risk for age-related eye diseases and conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration, please contact a local ophthalmologist today and schedule your comprehensive eye examination.

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Exciting New Treatments for Diabetic Retinopathy

Monday, September 20th, 2010

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious medical condition that can lead to vision loss in people suffering with Type 2 Diabetes, but researches have recently discovered two new treatments that could slow the progression of vision loss in Type 2 diabetics. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the retina; the blood vessels leak causing the retina to swell. Additionally, new blood vessels can develop and cause loss of vision.

In one of the largest studies to date, researches followed 2,865 diabetic patients of which 50% had diabetic retinopathy at the start of the study. During a four-year period, photos of the retina were taken to monitor any changes in the blood vessels and the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

One of the principal researchers, Walter Ambrosius from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, said that “Many people with diabetes have microvascular problems, which can result in problems with the kidneys and amputation of the toes and feet, and the only place that you can directly observe the microvasculature is in the back of the eyes…what we have seen in the eyes is a possible indicator of what is happening in other parts of the body.”

Participants in the study were administered three treatments:

Therapy to control and normalize their blood sugar
Treatments to control blood pressure and bring it within normal limits
A combination of lipid and fenofibrate therapy (drugs that lower cholesterol)

The study showed that the first two treatments decreased the progression of loss of vision by one-third. The third treatment showed no effect at all.

Researches warn of one safety concern with the new treatments: “Patients in the intensive blood sugar control arm of the study had a higher risk of severe low blood sugar and death.” The National Eye Institute warns that doctors need to consider this when discussing treatment plans with their patients.

To learn more about how diabetes affects vision, or to find an eye doctor near you, please visit www.eyes.com today.

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