People with Type 1 diabetes afflicted with neuropathy have loss of feeling in their feet and hands while those with retinopathy have impaired eyesight. Diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy are the most common causes of nontraumatic amputations and blindness in the United States. Dr. Feldman and her team are investigating how high glucose injures the nervous system and the eyes. In their work using both tissue culture and animal samples to simulate diabetes, they have generated a new theory to explain how high glucose mediates complications. The potential therapies under investigation include antioxidants and neurotrophic factors.
Diabetic retinopathy remains the leading cause of blindness among working age adults.
Dr. Smith spoke about research efforts to find a medical treatment that prevents the growth of new blood vessels, the destructive phase of diabetic retinopathy. Over the past several years research has led to a surge of new knowledge on the underlying molecular basis for diabetic retinopathy. Based on this knowledge several drugs are now in clinical trials to evaluate their effectiveness as treatment and prevention of diabetic retinopathy. JDF is organized on a business-world model, a focus that enables the organization to provide at least 80 cents of every dollar raised to research and education about research. JDF now provides more funds to diabetes research than any other nonprofit, nongovernmental health agency in the world.