In diabetic retinopathy, the back of the eye, where the image of what we are looking at is formed, is damaged due to the very high level of sugar in the blood, new and weak blood vessels can develop. Subsequently, since they constitute fragile bleeding in the eye, it may occur. Unfortunately, this can lead to loss of vision. Finding a condition early is important for its treatment as soon as possible. Scientists from the Hu-Tech-Poit Hospital and the National University of Singapore discovered an osteopontin molecule that indicates the presence and severity of retinopathy.
Their work, which was reported in February 2018 in the journal Molecular vision, including four hundred and forty three participants. The researchers photographed the back of the participants' eyes, taking the same picture that the doctors see when they examine their patients. eyes with an ophthalmoscope. A total of one hundred seventy-four participants or 39 percent were diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy ...
- the average osteopontin level was higher in participants who had diabetic retinopathy than in those without eye problems.
- higher osteopontin levels were also observed in patients with more severe illness.
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness in adults. aged 18 to 65 years. It may be preceded by compliance ...
- healthy diet,
- exercise and
- prescribed medication to keep blood sugar levels under control.
In other cases, drugs that inhibit vegetative endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can stop the further development of retinopathy. VEGF is involved in the growth of new blood vessels. The two most popular anti-VEGF drugs are ...
- Lucentis (ranibizumab) and
- Avastin (bevacizumab).
You can also enter triamcinolone, a corticosteroid. As an anti-inflammatory drug, it helps reduce the swelling of the macula, the central part of the retina. Laser surgery is another treatment option. Weak blood vessels can be invented from further growth, and leakage can be stopped by so-called photocoagulation.
Another surgical method is known as vitrectomy. It is used to remove scars, blood or cloudy fluid from inside the eye.
Someday, a blood test for osteopontin can be useful for detecting diabetic retinopathy. Currently, people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be noticed by an ophthalmologist shortly after being diagnosed with diabetes and regularly as recommended afterwards. Any vision changes, such as blurring or blemishes, should be checked by a doctor as soon as possible.
Diabetic retinopathy usually does not show symptoms until it is far from advanced, so early and regular visits to the eye specialist and proper treatment are necessary.
