Monash researchers show drug may prevent diabetes-induced vision loss

Dr Devi Deliyanti and Professor Jenny
Wilkinson-Berka are first and last authors
on the paper investigating a drug which
reduces oxidative stress in the retina.

by Anne Crawford

Scientists in Monash University’s Department of Diabetes have demonstrated that a novel drug that suppresses oxidative stress protects the retina against diabetes-induced damage and may prevent vision loss.

Globally, an estimated 70 million people have retinopathy caused by diabetes. The disease is the leading cause of blindness in young adults.

People with diabetes have high levels of glucose in their blood which stimulates oxidative stress, a process that causes damage to many cell types and ultimately cell death.

Immune cells discovered in the eye may help premature babies

Wilkinson-Berka group. L-R: Mr Jack Jerome,  Ms Osanna Wong, Mr
Saeed Alrashdi, Dr Devy Deliyanti, Professor Jenny Wilkinson-Berka.
Jack, Devy and Jenny are authors on the paper.

by Anne Crawford

Ground-breaking research by Monash University scientists has demonstrated the previously unknown existence of a disease-fighting immune cell in the eye and points to potential novel ways of treating eye disorders in premature babies and diabetic adults.

The scientists, led by Professor Jennifer Wilkinson-Berka in the Central Clinical School’s new Department of Diabetes, were investigating improved ways of treating retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), which occurs in very small, prematurely born babies.