Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye problem that many people with diabetes face, and it can eventually lead to blindness.
Now, scientists from Michigan State University and other schools have made a discovery that could help catch this condition early.
Their research shows that cholesterol can build up in the retina (the back part of the eye) and form crystals, leading to diabetic retinopathy.
Julia Busik, a professor at Michigan State, pointed out that retinopathy is a major concern for people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
She said that “within 20 years of developing diabetes, everyone with either type will have some degree of retinopathy.”
One promising aspect of this research is that these cholesterol crystals reflect light and can be seen in retina images, making it easier for eye doctors to spot them.
Why This Matters: Early Diagnosis and Better Treatment
Early diagnosis is key for managing diabetic retinopathy. The good news is that most eye doctors can perform simple tests to see these cholesterol crystals, allowing for early treatment for more people.
Current treatments often come into play only at the very late stages of the disease and are quite invasive.
Tim Dorweiler, a researcher on the project, said they are focusing on how to lower this cholesterol build-up in the retina.
The retina is a complicated part of the body to study because, like the brain, it’s somewhat isolated by a barrier that separates it from the rest of the body.
However, if doctors can find a way to manage these cholesterol levels, the treatment for diabetic retinopathy could be far less harsh than what’s currently available.
The Bigger Picture: Beyond the Eyes
George Abela, who leads the cardiology division at Michigan State, added another interesting point. He said that these cholesterol crystals are similar to the ones found in heart arteries that can cause heart attacks.
This raises questions about whether treating these crystals could also help prevent other diseases, like heart-related issues.
The researchers are now working on understanding these crystals better, using advanced scanning techniques.
This will help them figure out how best to treat the crystals and, hopefully, how to prevent diabetic retinopathy from advancing to more severe stages.
This research is an important step forward, not just for those dealing with diabetic retinopathy but potentially for anyone at risk of diseases caused by cholesterol build-up.
And because early diagnosis is often the key to effective treatment, this discovery could save both eyesight and lives.
If you care about eye health, please read studies about how to save your eyes from diabetes, and the treatments of dry eye you need to know.
For more information about eye disease, please see recent studies about how to protect your eyes from glaucoma, and results showing this eye surgery may reduce dementia risk.
The research findings can be found in Diabetologia.
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