Clinical trial results are promising for diabetic eye disease
US-based clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of two new therapies for Diabetic Macular Edema.
Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) is a common health complication of type 1 diabetes and involves swelling in the centre of the retina (otherwise known as the macula). The swelling is caused by leaking blood vessels, damaged by periods of high blood glucose. People with macular edema lose their detailed vision and as such the ability to perform common daily activities. Severe damage results in legal blindness.
Laser therapy, the standard treatment for DME, has been used for almost 25 years. While it’s effective in early stage disease, new treatments are urgently needed for people with more aggressive forms of the condition. JDRF have been supporting a number of trials in this area, and in the last few months, results from two of these trials have shown promising results.
Ranibizumab (Lucentis) is currently used to treat age-related macular degeneration but trial results published in May 2010 have shown that a combination of laser treatment with ranibizumab injection is a safe and effective treatment for DME.
According to trial investigators, the improvements seen during the trial could enable a person with DME to resume activities such as reading or driving. Whilst the treatment is expensive, and can only be administered in a medical clinic, investigators have recommended that ranibizumab be considered as a standard treatment for patients with DME.
Meanwhile, early data from another clinical trial has shown that an existing blood pressure therapy called mecamylamine is also safe to use in patients with DME and appears to slow the progress of severe forms of DME in people with type 1 diabetes.
Administered as eye drops rather than injection, the study showed that 40% of trial participants with severe DME recorded a significant improvement during the 16 week trial. Because this potential treatment can be self-administered, it may also ease the burdens of healthcare costs and compliance. Further trials are now planned to establish effectiveness in a larger group of patients.
Both of these trials were funded through JDRF grants or partnerships.
I only wish this had been around 23 years ago so I could have saved my sight
Good luck to everyone who can enjoy this treatment with sucess I am truly envious
I am 31 yrs old and developed this disease during pregnancy, it is the most hardest thing I have had to deal with and I wish everyone all the best with the treatment. I am always having treatment and managed to safe my site but the bleeds are still there. Lorraine I understand how you feel and thank you for your kind words.
I have had diabetes for nearly 36 years. In the last 15 I to have suffered from macular edema all because of high glucose level at times. Ive managed to keep my sight stable and luckily keep my job as a teacher. I can also still drive though not at night. The only way to fight this is to keep blood glucose levels and HBA1 levels low. Its hard and requires vigilence but it works. Its better than the alternative.
This is so heart breaking! I am so sorry to hear about your problems. My 10 year old was diagnosed only 2 months ago, I must admit I worry about the challenges she may face in the future! I wish you luck
Hi Tania, thanyou for your advise. I try so hard to keep my levels low and do most of the times. I find that everytime i go through my cycle every month i have an eye bleed even if my levels have been good it still happens. I was just wondering if you have had something simular ? I am still able to drive and work as well but i find it so hard to deal with as i have a 18 month old baby and all. Hope to hear from you soon, Michelle.
Hi Michelle
I know my eye specialist says to me that good blood glucose control long term means better and stable eye sight long term..Its really hard and empathise with anyone who has to try to deal with this everyday as well as everything else in life. Just keep doing the best you can. Good luck