19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Steroids used to help premature babies ‘ lungs work may increase their risk of eye problems , a new study suggests. Doctors often give corticosteroids to babies whose birth weight is very low to improve lung function, but it’s long been suspected that the drugs may have harmful side effects. “Clinicians need to use their best judgment to balance the positive effects from steroids on developing lungs with potential negative effects on developing eyes in very premature infants,” said lead investigator Dr. Tammy Movsas. For the new study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 1,500 infants who weighed less than 500 grams (1.1 pounds) at birth. Although the study couldn’t prove cause-and-effect, the risk of an eye condition called retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was 60 percent higher for babies treated with steroids, the researchers found. And babies’ risk of developing an advanced case of ROP was 70 percent higher if they were on the drugs, the findings showed. Movsas called the increased ROP risk modest, but significant. The study was published recently in the Journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. “This study has potential clinical significance since children with a history of ROP are not only at increased risk for visual impairments from the ROP itself, but are also at increased risk for developing other ocular disorders later in life,” Movsas said in a journal news release. Movsas is medical director of the Midland County (Mich.) Department of Public Health and a clinical associate professor of pediatrics and human development at Michigan State University.
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American Diabetes Association. This research is being conducted in labs and clinical canters across the country. There are two types of diabetic retinopathy: Background or non proliferative diabetic retinopathy NPDR Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy NPDR is the earliest stage of diabetic retinopathy. Thomas W. The longer someone has had diabetes, the more common glaucoma is. This technique is similar to ultrasound but uses light waves instead of sound waves to capture images of tissues inside the body. An ophthalmologist will examine the retina with an ophthalmoscope, which shines bright light into the back of the eye and allows for a close look at the blood vessels of the retina. It can damage central vision. The eye is a ball covered with a tough outer membrane. An eye examination for many people with retinopathy includes testing visual acuity or sharpness of vision, checking the sharpness of peripheral vision, and testing the pressure inside the eye. Smoking and diabetes increase the risk of developing hypertensive retinopathy. Fluid can collect in the retina. Reattaching a retina to the eye is much harder and works in only about half the cases. Do not smoke.
People with all types of diabetes type 1, type 2, and gestational are at risk for diabetic retinopathy. These blood vessels may swell and burst, causing bleeding and damage to the eye. Robertson D expert opinion. no dataTo understand what happens in eye disorders, it helps to understand how the eye works. In focal photo coagulation, the eye care professional aims the laser precisely at leaking blood vessels in the macula. Beams of bright laser light make tiny burns to stop the leaking and to stop the growth of new blood vessels. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to retinal damage. Many resources can help you understand more about diabetes. In mild cases, treatment for diabetic retinopathy is not necessary.