Category: Diabetic Retinopathy

Depression Can Increase Likelihood of Developing Diabetic Retinopathy

Depression & Diabetic Retinopathy
Image via nimh.nih.gov

The brain and the body are in constant relationship.  This truth is further supported by the recent study published in General Hospital Psychiatry that describes how people who suffer from both depression and diabetes are more likely to end up with diabetic retinopathy.

In a study that controlled such factors as obesity, smoking, and activity, diabetic retinopathy was linked to occurrences of depression.  Over the five year trial, almost one quarter of patients with depression developed the eye disease compared to less than 20% of those who did not have depression.  Researchers extrapolate that depression increases one’s risk of developing retinopathy by 15%.

According to study co-author Wayne Katon, M.D., “Our findings suggested that psychobiologic changes associated with depression such as increased cortisol levels and activity of blood-clotting factors may be linked to the development of retinopathy.”

Learn about self-help ideas for those concerned about diabetic retinopathy and diabetes.

Source:www.medicalnewstoday.com, July 29, 2011

Diabetes: Insufficient Water Intake Linked to Blood Sugar Problems

Here’s another reason to stay well-hydrated this summer: drinking at least 34 ounces of water each day can cut your risk of developing high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).

A French study shows that people who drink at least four eight ounce glasses of water per day were 21% less likely to develop hyperglycemia over a nine year period compared to those who had less than 16 ounces each day.

The report was presented at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association.  Prediabetes, which is marked by elevated blood sugar levels, affects nearly 80 million American and greatly increases one’s risk of developing full blown diabetes and its accompanying eye condition, diabetic retinopathy.  Source: WebMD

When you’re drinking that extra glass of water today, remember that increasing your water intake to a recommended eight glasses per day can also help you deal with dry eyes.

 

Diabetics Know Lifestyle Changes Improve Health, But Behaviors Are Hard to Change

Diabetes & Lifestyle changes
Image via cancer.gov

Changes in lifestyle are usually the most important way that individuals with diabetes can control their conditions.  Most people seem to know this, but a new survey shows that many diabetics do not follow that advice.

A study called SHIELD (The Study to Help Improve Early Evaluation and Management of Risk Factors Leading to Diabetes), which was presented at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association, surveyed nearly 4,000 people with type 2 diabetes.  In response to questions about the link between diabetes and obesity, 87% said they knew excessive weight contributed the disease, but only 70% of respondents reported trying to lose weight in the preceding year.  Only a third of those surveyed had managed to maintain their target weight for longer than six months.  Almost one-fifth of those studied (17%) said they preferred to take medication to control their conditions rather than try diet and exercise.

Source: WebMD

At Natural Eye Care, we recommend that those with diabetes and the related condition diabetic retinopathy manage their condition with proper lifestyle habits, dietary changes, nutritional supplementation, and exercise.  We also recommend this approach to people with a host of other eye conditions including macular degeneration and glaucoma.  When there is something wrong with your eyes, it is so rarely just about the eyes themselves – so often the eyes are indicating that there is an issue affecting the rest of the body as well. For example, glaucoma has been linked to cardiovascular deaths and Alzheimer’s disease.

 

 

Diabetes Experts and Eye Professionals Working Together

The American Optometric Association has played an active role in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Diabetes Translation (DDT) for over ten years.  Eye docs hanging out with diabetes specialists?  Of course.  Diabetic retinopathy, according to the National Institute of Health, affects “4.2 million—28.5%— of people with diabetes ages 40 years or older … and of these, 655,000—4.4% of those with diabetes—had advanced diabetic retinopathy that could lead to severe vision loss.”

W. Lee Ball, O.D., AOA Associate Director for Quality Improvement gave a presentation entitled “Working Together to Manage Diabetes: Development and Testing of a Comprehensive Checklist.”  Of the medical professionals across several fields who responded to a questionnaire regarding the efficacy of the checklist, 74% said they found it useful in a real-world clinical setting.  Source: News from the AOA

The AOA recommends that those interested in diabetes prevention, care and treatment visit: www.yourdiabetesinfo.org, an address that links you to a wealth of diabetes information from the National Diabetes Education Program.

For our unique perspective on holistic approaches to dealing with diabetic retinopathy, visit our website.

Proteins In Eyes Contribute to Diabetic Retinopathy

Researchers, specifically a group at Harvard’s Joslin Diabetes Center, are understanding the connection between diabetic retinopathy and proteins present in the eyes.  In a 2007 study, scientists describe how they found a group of proteins that they believe are responsible for causing the leakage from blood vessels that marks diabetic retinopathy.  They found that these proteins were also the cause of swelling in the eyes, a discovery that could have an impact on research related to cerebral swelling caused by head injuries and strokes.  Figuring out the role of proteins in this condition opens up new treatment avenues for both eye diseases and brain injuries and conditions.

 

This study was unique from previous work that focused on rodents because Joslin scientist developed a unique proteomics mass spectroscopy (a high-speed protein analysis technology) that helped to identify protein abnormalities in the vitreous humor of individuals with and without diabetic retinopathy.  These findings have lead to further investigation of the role that proteins within the eyes play in the formation of disease.

This research was published in Nature Medicine.

Source: Joslin Diabetes Center

Diabetic Retinopathy Linked to Inflammation

Inflammation and Diabetic Retinopathy

At Natural Eye Care, we know that eye conditions are often related to diseases that affect the entire body.  At a conference last year, Clement Trempe, MD reminded colleagues to consider the role of overall inflammation when diagnosing patients with diabetic retinopathy.

According to Dr. Trempe, “Diabetic retinopathy is not an eye disease, but part of a chronic systemic inflammatory disease process that shares the same risk factors and elevated biomarkers associated with coronary vascular and neurodegenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and Alzheimer’s.”

In line with our way of thinking, Dr. Trempe recommended prevention (see our “recommendations“). The doctor also emphasized the importance of proper diet, lifestyle, and nutrition (see our self-help recommendations and supplement tips).

Source: PCON Supersite March 1, 2010

Insulin May Not Address Inflammation Problems

Insulin replacement is the main treatment for people with Type 1 diabetes.  A new study seeks to determine how the eyes are not helped through insulin therapies.

In a study of rodents’ retinas that appeared in BMC Medical Genomics, researchers investigated the effect of insulin on the eyes over a 1.5 year period.  This genome-level research showed that though insulin normalizes genes that have been impaired due to diabetes, the insulin therapies are not completely effective when it comes to helping inflammatory processes, microvascular integrity, and neuronal function.  Source: https://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmedgenomics/

See further information on scientific studies related to diabetic retinopathy.

 

Bilberry May Lower Insulin Levels

Blueberries and their European cousins, bilberries, have long been used to regulate blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.  Recent studies of mice are convincing researchers of the bilberry’s potential in helping people deal with diabetes.

A study published in Nutrition Journal describes a trial involving the examination of the effect of consuming oat meal drinks that contained bilberries or rosehips on healthy young adults.  Researchers specifically looked at how these drinks influenced individuals’ glycemic indexes and insulin levels.  The drinks with bilberry induced a lower insulin response.  Scientists credit either the bilberry or the oat meal base.  Source: Nutrition Journal (Published: 21 May 2011).

Bilberries are also known to impact eye health in remarkably positive ways. mostly due to their antioxidant properties.  Studies show it has helped patients who suffer from diabetic retinopathy and cataracts, just to name a few conditions.

 

Diabetic Retinopathy: Declining Vision Tied to Lower Quality of Life

Diabetic retinopathy
Image via VA.gov

A new study confirms what might sound like common sense: the more severe one’s case of diabetic retinopathy, the more likely one’s quality of life is to deteriorate.

Published in the journal Ophthalmology (Issue 118, 2011), research suggests that individuals’ quality of life declines more rapidly when their sight loss due to diabetic retinopathy becomes more severe.  The study involved over 1,000 type 2 diabetes patients taking part in the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.

Authors indicate that quality of life markers related to dependency, mental health, and  tasks that required visual skills, dependence were most significantly impacted by worsening cases of diabetic retinopathy.

Source: OSN Supersite

Link Between Erectile Dysfunction & Diabetic Retinopathy

Not surprisingly, another study finds new information about the link between erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy in men with diabetes.

Published in the journal Urology, this research included men with type 2 diabetes of an average age of 64 years, some of whom exhibited proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and some of whom were diagnosed severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).

Researchers found that there is an association between erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy, regardless of age, time since diabetes diagnosis, and cardiovascular risk factors.

Source: Urology, 4 January 2011

Diabetic Retinopathy Patients May Benefit From Nutritional Supplements

Diabetic retinopathy is a potentially blinding condition that affects almost 5% of diabetics. Peer reviewed scientific research has found that the following nutritional supplements may help people who are concerned about diabetic retinopathy and diabetes in general.

Chromium: 73% of type I and II diabetics who took chromium supplements reduced their requirement for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents. Taking chromium and niacin together reduced fasting blood sugar levels and improved glucose tolerance.

Bilberry: 79% of 37 patients with visible diabetic retinal abnormalities improved after taking 160 mg of bilberry extract twice daily, compared to 0% of the placebo control group, and 86% of those with abnormalities of angiography findings showed moderate to considerable improvement.

Ginkgo Biloba: According to the following double blind study, gingko biloba can help improve diabetic retinopathy by improving the flow of blood to the brain and extremities.

Pine Bark Extract: A 2010 study suggests that pine bark extract (containing procyanidins) may be helpful to diabetics who have early diabetic retinopathy through improved retinal blood flow and lowering swelling edema.

About 40-50% of Americans who have been diagnosed with diabetes already have some stage of diabetic retinopathy, according to NIH.

Reference: Steigerwalt R, et al. Pycnogenol® improves microcirculation, retinal edema, and visual acuity in early diabetic retinopathy. J Ocular Pharmacol Therap 25:537-40, 2009.

For more studies of natural compounds that can help those dealing with diabetic retinopathy, visit our research pages.

Vegetarians Less Likely to Develop Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic SyndromeMetabolic syndrome, a precursor to incidences of stroke, diabetes, and heart disease is more prevalent in people who eat meat.

A new study in the journal Diabetes Care describes how vegetarians are 36% less likely to develop metabolic syndrome than meat consumers.  Researchers conclude that a plant based diet can help to ward off the diseases associated with metabolic syndrome.  These findings offer further proof that a healthy diet can reduce one’s chances of developing cardiovascular disease.  Source: Foodconsumer.org

Eating well can also  reduce your risk of developing eye diseases like cataracts and diabetic retinopathy.  At Natural Eye Care we have developed The Vision Diet to help you eat your way to healthier eye sight.