Stem cells and retinopathy

This is a reprint of an article that I recently published on Digital Journal:

Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes and it is often treated with laser therapy, but researchers say that stem cells could be used as a possible treatment for diabetic retinopathy. 

Researchers at Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute and the Indiana Center for Vascular Biology at Indiana University School will be working on the $2 million study, which has been funded by the National Eye Institute, and the hope is the new research will stop vision loss and maybe even reverse it. A preliminary study has shown stem cells to be effective in restoring vision loss in rodents by helping the damaged cells of the eyes to regenerate. Rajashekhar Gangaraju, Ph.D is assistant professor of ophthalmology and cellular and integrative physiology and will lead the study.

Commenting on the potential of the new research Dr Gangaraju said:

“We know the stem cells are migrating towards the blood vessels and are trying to arrest the leakage.”

“We believe this will be a therapy helpful for early stage diabetics, or those who have begun to suffer the effects of diabetes and have early vision loss due to the leaking blood vessels.”

“This work is a precursor to clinical trials involving patients. We believe the basic science mechanisms will translate to a bedside treatment for diabetic patients if we can reach them in the early stage of diabetes.”

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy will often go unnoticed when the condition is in its early stages but advanced symptoms can include blurred vision and sudden vision loss.

Diabetics are advised to take advantage of the eye screenings, which are offered free of charge in the UK, to detect any signs of the disease before it can cause damage to the eyesight. 

You can read the original article by going to:

http://digitaljournal.com/article/345767

Another eye screening out of the way

Every year I get the letter and every year I dread it.  I used to dread going for an eye screening so much just in case they found anything wrong that I'd leave it weeks to book an appointment and then take the appointment with the latest date possible just to delay the moment.

However, I soon realised that all I was doing was prolonging the agony and the more I read about retinopathy, the more I understand it, and the less afraid I am of it.

Screening is vital for anyone with diabetes and it's free.  There are plenty of people who don't attend screenings and I really don't understand it - perhaps they are worried of what they might find like I was but that wouldn't be enough to stop me from going.  Retinopathy is treatable in its early stages and more treatment options are becoming available so if you get offered a screening then go - you can't afford not to.

I was really pleased when I was at my appointment when I was told that the vessels of my eyes looked to good that they wouldn't even know I was diabetic.

I control my blood sugars and this is the most important step when it comes to prevention.  Controlling blood pressure is also important.

I also take bilberry which is supposed to strengthen the vessels. I also take pycnogenol - which is apparently prescribed in France for the condition - and I take benfotiamine a fat-soluble form of B1 which is thought to protect the vessels from the damage which can be caused by diabetes.