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New Treatment Is Saving
Eyesight of Diabetics
posted August 19, 2004
Local doctors studying an unusual
treatment to save the eyesight of people with diabetes
Laser surgery has been used in the past, but it doesn’t work for everyone. Now
doctors at John Hopkins have discovered a new therapy that may breathe new life
into some damaged eyes.
"By giving patients with diabetic macular edema supplemental oxygen where they
simply breathe higher levels of oxygen in, this resulted in a decrease in
thickening in the retina and some improvement in visual activity," said Dr.
Peter Campochiaro, Johns Hopkins University.
With diabetes, high levels of blood sugar damage blood vessels and cause
leakage. Leaky blood vessels cannot carry enough blood or oxygen to allow the
retina to function normally.
Dr. Quan Nguyen, The Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins: "That causes the
retina to thicken therefore causing the vision to be deteriorated."
To Help, patients in the study are given oxygen tanks to use 24 hours a day for 3 months. The added oxygen they breathe in goes to the retina. This helps thin the retina, which improves vision.
Patients in the study are provided with a stationary oxygen concentrator for
home and portable oxygen tanks to use outside the home.
The Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins is currently enrolling more patients
for this study.
Source: Diabetes In Control.com.
August 2004 News Article Index
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