Mask for preventing blindness caused by diabetes complications

According to experts, diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina. This condition causes blood vessels to swell and leak fluid or complete blockage, even forming abnormal blood vessels on the retina surface. The current treatment for diabetic retinopathy is to radiate a laser to heal broken blood vessels and remove damaged blood vessels.

However, using the Nocture 400 mask during sleep will help users avoid the risk of developing this potentially blind disease. The product developed by PolyPhotonix Company (UK) emits low intensity green light (similar to daylight) through the "permeable" eyelids into the retina. Meanwhile, the mask helps interfere with the process of regenerating new blood vessels in the eyes at night. For healthy people, the development of blood vessels in the eye is beneficial, but for diabetic retinopathy, it will make small blood vessels vulnerable, swollen and can reduce vision.

Currently PolyPhotonix is ​​preparing to test Nocture 400 in patients with age-related macular degeneration, a disease also related to abnormal growth of blood vessels in the eye. It is expected that after being certified by the British health agency, the product will be applied in the country's health system next year.

* In another study, scientists at the University of Southampton (UK) have discovered a special type of stem cell in the eye that can be transformed into light-sensitive cells and cure blindness.

These stem cells are found in the area in front of the eyeball, alternating between the transparent cornea and the white sclera of the eye. After collecting and placing in appropriate conditions, these stem cells can be converted into photosensitive organs, which have the function of receiving light."The cells are not difficult to access and they have very flexible properties - the characteristics that make them an attractive source of cells for the methods," said lead researcher Andrew Lotery. treatment in relative i '. According to Lotery's comment, taking stem cells from the patient's eyes to treat themselves will help prevent complications of transplant rejection or the risk of infection.

The team hopes the new finding could lead to new therapies for age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in older people.