Title:
The Diagnosis and Treatment of Early Stage Diabetic Retinopathy
The Diagnosis and Treatment of Early Stage Diabetic Retinopathy
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Author(s)
Pardue, Machelle T.
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Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of
blindness in adults 20 to 74 years of age. Detecting early stage retinopathy prior to the onset of clinical findings would
greatly impact the management and treatment of DR. We have identified several tests that show dysfunction in the
retina prior to the onset of clinically‐significant vascular lesions induced by diabetes. We have determine that rod
photoreceptor function is most vulnerable to diabetes using novel stimuli with the electroretinogram. Our studies show
similar delays in rodent models of diabetes and diabetic patients, prior to clinically diagnosed DR. In addition, we have
shown that spatial frequency and contrast sensitivity declines prior to vascular changes when tested with moving
gratings. Finally, we have demonstrated that the application of inducible fluorescent tags to detect ROS in the retina,
providing another possible screening tool for DR. To determine the mechanisms underlying neuronal dysfunction in
early DR, we examined the role of decreased retinal dopamine, a key neuromodulator in the retina. Using our screening
tools to detect early disease, we are able to preserve retinal and visual function in diabetic rodents by restoring
dopamine levels with L‐DOPA or exercise therapies.
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Date Issued
2015-10-29
Extent
47:10 minutes
Resource Type
Moving Image
Resource Subtype
Lecture