A noninvasive ground-breaking tool that detects signs of disease at early molecular stages before symptoms can be seen using traditional methods is described in new research published in the May 2010 print issue of The FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org).
Even better, this tool promises to detect some eye diseases so early that they may be reversed before any permanent damage can occur. Its use may well extend to other areas of the body in the future, and this tool may also give physicians a more precise way of evaluating the effectiveness of therapies.
Diabetic Retinopathy - Risk Factors - Symptoms - Treatment - Diagnosis - FAQs
The term ‘diabetic retinopathy’ refers to changes in the retina which often occur in people with diabetes.
The term ‘diabetic retinopathy’ refers to changes in the retina which often occur in people with diabetes.
To make this discovery, Hafezi-Moghadam and colleagues combined fluorescent microspheres with molecules found on the surface of immune cells. These molecules are up-regulated early in inflammation. The scientists took this compound and combined it once more with custom-designed imaging probes. Then they used both single- and double-combined probes targeting endothelial markers in the eyes of test animals because of the eye's unique accessibility to light-based imaging. Results showed a strikingly superior sensitivity of the double-conjugated probes that allowed detection of molecules that may be expressed at very low levels, which occurs in many diseases. The imaging probes also detected activated immune cells, leading to unprecedented quantitative knowledge about immune response to disease.
"This tool is a total game-changer: it detects inflammatory eye disease at the molecular level before damage occurs," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal, "Once you have symptoms, it may be too late. By then, doctors are often limited to damage control. Now in the eye, and later in other areas of the body, early detection of molecular changes by fluorescent microspheres will save lives. It should certainly change people's expectations of when treatment is indicated."
LASIK Eye Surgery
LASIK is a type of laser procedure performed on the eye to correct refractive errors and presbyopia by reshaping the cornea.
LASIK is a type of laser procedure performed on the eye to correct refractive errors and presbyopia by reshaping the cornea.
Source-Eurekalert
RAS
About Conjunctivitis | Pink Eye
Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye causes redness and soreness of the conjunctiva and is responsible for 1% of all emergency visits to a hospital.
Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye causes redness and soreness of the conjunctiva and is responsible for 1% of all emergency visits to a hospital.
Amblyopia | Lazy Eye - Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment FAQs Glossary
Amblyopia is the loss of one eye's ability to see details. Amblyopia is otherwise known as lazy eye.
Amblyopia is the loss of one eye's ability to see details. Amblyopia is otherwise known as lazy eye.
