Recent research has shown that the Noctura 400 non-invasive therapy for diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema is effective at improving and stabilising these conditions in most patients.
The effectiveness of Noctura 400 therapy has been found to be 96% in the RENDER study in which patients used the mask for 1 year. The finding have meant that Ashford & St Peters NHS Foundation trust has continued providing the mask to some patients on the NHS.
The use of Noctura 400 for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema has been shown to be significantly cheaper than existing treatments. Research at Ashford & St Peters found that earlier stage intervention could help save the NHS £3000 per patient.
How does diabetes affect your eyes?
Diabetes can have a significant impact on eye health1. One potential effect is the swelling of the eye lens, which can lead to blurry vision1. Fluctuations in blood sugar levels, especially when they change quickly from low to normal, can affect the shape of the eye’s lens and result in blurred vision1.
Another significant concern related to diabetes and eye health is a condition called diabetic retinopathy2. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the blood vessels in the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina) are damaged due to diabetes2. Initially, diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms or only mild vision problems2. However, if left uncontrolled, it can lead to blindness2.
High blood sugar levels over time can also contribute to the development of other eye problems, such as cataracts and glaucoma34. In fact, diabetes is a leading cause of blindness in adults between the ages of 20 and 743.
It is important for individuals with diabetes to manage their blood sugar levels effectively and undergo regular eye examinations to detect and mitigate any potential eye-related complications2. Early detection and timely treatment can help prevent or slow down the progression of diabetic-related eye diseases5.
Please note that this information is a summary, and it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional for specific guidance and advice.
Sources:
- Ulrich Meyer-Bothling, Oliver Meyer-Bothling, Marika Pinney, “A Real-World Single-Centre Study of Patients with Diabetic Macular Oedema Who Wore a Home-Use Sleep Mask (Noctura 400) for One Year”, Journal of Ophthalmology, vol. 2021, Article ID 6612126, 13 pages, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6612126
- Hopkins Medicine. Diabetes and Your Eyes: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/diabetes-and-your-eyes-what-you-need-to-know ↩ ↩2 ↩3
- Mayo Clinic. Diabetic retinopathy – Symptoms & causes. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20371611 ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
- WebMD. 5 Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Eyes & Vision. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetes-eye-problems ↩ ↩2
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. Diabetic Eye Disease. Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/diabetic-eye-disease ↩
- National Eye Institute. Diabetic Retinopathy. Retrieved from https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/diabetic-retinopathy ↩
