Diabetes is known to take its toll on the vision of the patient. Though most of the time the damage to vision may not be quick, with the passage of time, a diabetic is likely to feel the deterioration of vision.
Conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy are sometimes diagnosed in diabetics. Among these, diabetic retinopathy ( i.e. the unwanted growth of capillaries in the retina) is possibly considered a leading cause of vision loss among diabetics.
Hope for those diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy now comes from a team of scientists and engineers at the University of British Columbia. They have developed a new drug delivery device, which if planted deep in the eye socket can release the required drug for treatment on-demand by the body. (1)
The study and design was led by PhD mechanical engineering graduate Fatemeh Nazly Pirmoradi and Mechanical Engineering Assoc. Prof. Mu Chiao. This design may be superior to the current line of treatment which involves either the use of anti-cancer drugs or laser therapy, both with its baggage of side effects.
Laser therapy to treat diabetic retinopathy is known to cause loss of night- as well as peripheral vision. Anti-cancer drugs wash out of the system quickly and so larger or frequent administration is required thus posing potential danger of tissue toxicity.
As per Chiao, “We wanted to come up with a safe and effective way to help diabetic patients safeguard their sight”. (2)
The new drug delivering device is able to release the drug through an external magnetic field. When the pin-head sized reservoir of the device to be implanted was sealed with a siliocone membrane, a magnetic field causes the membrane to deform and discharge a specific amount of the drug docetaxel used in treating diabetic retinopathy. Through repeated tests the device stood integrity tests and did not report leakage.
Docetaxel’s biological efficacy was also tested against two types of cultured cancer cells over a two-month period and it was found that reliable release rates were achieved using the device and that docetaxel did not lose it’s properties in that period in the device, thus being able to kill the cancer cells.
There is still a long way to go with improvements and patents before the device will be available to the doctors. As per Pirmoradi, “There's a lot of work ahead of us in terms of biocompatibility and performance optimization.” (3)
SOURCES:
1. Researchers Invent New Drug Delivery Device to Treat Diabetes-Related Vision Loss; Science Daily; July 2011; http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110630091819.htm
2. UBC Researchers Invent New Drug Delivery Device To Treat Diabetes-Related Vision Loss; University of British Columbia - News Room - Media Release - June, 2011;
http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/2011/06/29/ubc-researchers-invent-new-drug-delivery-device-to-treat-diabetes-related-vision-loss
3. On-demand controlled release of docetaxel from a battery-less MEMS drug delivery device; Lab On A Chip; July 2011; http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2011/LC/c1lc20134d
INFORMATION IN THIS ARTICLE IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. ALL INFORMATION GIVEN IS TO BE CHECKED WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE IMPLEMENTING OR TAKING THEM AS STANDARD OR VERIFIED.
Mamta Singh is a published author of the books
Migraines for the Informed Woman – Tips From A Sufferer: ISBN: 978-81-291-1517-1
(Publisher: Rupa & Co. URL: http://www.amazon.com/Migraines-Informed-Woman-Tips-Sufferer/dp/8129115174/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1298990756&sr=1-2),
Mentor Your Mind – Tested Mantras For The Busy Woman: ISBN: 978-81-207-5973-2
(Publisher: Sterling Publishers; URL: http://www.amazon.com/Mentor-Your-Mind-Tested-Mantras/dp/8120759737/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316063179&sr=8-1)
and the upcoming
The Urban Woman’s Integrated Fitness Guide
(Publisher: Hay House India)
She is also a seasoned business, creative and academic writer. She is a certified fitness instructor, personal trainer & sports nutritionist through IFA, Florida USA. Mamta is an NCFE-certified Holistic Health Therapist SAC Dip U.K. She is the lead writer and holds Expert Author status in many well-received health, fitness and nutrition sites.
She runs her own popular blogs on migraines in women and holistic health. Mamta holds a double Master's Degree in Commerce and Business. She is a registered practitioner with the UN recognised Art of Living Foundation. Please visit www.mamtasingh.com
Reviewed October 3, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith