According to a small study in Japan, patients with elevated serum glucose/high HgbA1C levels along with increased lipoprotein a had a significantly higher degree of progression of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Also associated were increased systolic blood pressure and fibrinogen levels. The study involved 106 patients who were followed for 2 years. Definitions; lipoprotein a - … [Read more...]
Fluorescein Angiography and Macular Degeneration
July 31, 2009 By 1 Comment
Fluorescein angiography is a time-stamped test for evaluating the health of the macula in any suspected disease state. It is particularly useful for patients with macular degeneration (ARMD). It can detect vascular problems, swelling, neovascularization, macular degeneration and inherited/congenital retinal disorders. It is a very helpful test. When do we use fluorescein angiography? We use … [Read more...]
Diabetic Retinopathy: Why Is It Necessary to Dilate Your Eyes?
July 29, 2009 By 2 Comments
Every diabetic needs to get their eyes dilated once a year to look for diabetic retinopathy. Getting your eyes examined for glasses doesn't count. Why? The goal of examining the retina is to detect diabetic retinopathy. Pupillary dilation is the only proper way of examining the retina. With the pupil properly dilated, your eye doctor can examine the entire retina easily and carefully. … [Read more...]
Standard Treatments for Diabetic Macular Edema
July 28, 2009 By 4 Comments
I've been writing alot about all the neat new treatments for diabetic macular edema, but what do we use, today, in the office? Diabetic macular edema, aka clinically significant macular edema (CSME), has long been treated using focal photocoagulation (laser treatment). The idea is to treat the area of swelling with laser, causing either decreased leakage of the blood vessels, or, increased … [Read more...]
Combination of Radiation and anti-VEGF Shows Promise
July 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment
In article released in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, researchers describe a combination of brachytherapy and intravitreal injections of Avastin to treat patients with choroidal neovascularization from ARMD (the so-called "wet" form of the disease). In this prospective, randomized trial, 34 patients were treated with brachytherapy and two injections of bevacizumab (Avastin®). The … [Read more...]
Avastin (bevacizumab) for Diabetic Macular Edema Not Just Macular Degeneration
July 24, 2009 By 1 Comment
Avastin® and other anti-VEGF inhibitors have been used for the treatment of wet macular degeneration for the past several years. It has been quite effective in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization as seen in ARMD. The intraocular injections are given as a series and are administered in the office. The mainstay of treatment for diabetic macular edema has been laser … [Read more...]
Why Diabetics Need to Get Eye Exams
July 23, 2009 By 1 Comment
Whether or not you are newly diagnosed or a veteran of diabetes, you need to get your eyes checked at least once a year. Recommendations by the ADA and the AAO are that every diabetic get a complete eye exam, including a dilated exam (pupils get dilated) to allow proper examination of the retina. If you are newly diagnosed, you may have noticed blurry vision recently. Large fluctuations of … [Read more...]
From Fish to Nuts, Eating Right to Prevent Macular Degeneration
July 22, 2009 By 1 Comment
Eating more omega-3 polyunsaturated fat, such as that found in fish, may prevent the development of macular degeneration. I have posted on this before. No need to click back, but the highlights were; eating one serving a week of fish, thereby increasing omega-3's and decreasing foods containing linoleic acid (an unsaturated omega-6 fatty acid) decreased the incidence of macular … [Read more...]
Macular Degeneration: How to Monitor Your Vision at Home
July 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment
There are two worrisome signs that a patient with macular disease is having signficant problems; sudden and persistent decreased vision and/or distortion. Patients with macular degeneration, wet or dry, need to monitor their vision regularly in hopes of catching and treating any progression of the disease. Traditionally, patients were sent home with an Amsler grid. It is basically a piece of … [Read more...]
Steroid Implant May Reduce Diabetic Retinal Edema
July 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment
In June, the FDA approved a new intraocular device for the treatment of so-called retinal vein occlusions. In this disease, the whole or partial venous tree of the retina becomes occluded. Secondary swelling of the macula occurs thereby reducing vision. Current therapy involves only laser treatment. This new drug delivery system, marketed by Allergan Pharmaceuticals, will be available later … [Read more...]
