In a nutshell
The aim of this study was to assess whether giving drugs that protect nerves (brimonidine and somatostatin) into the eye can prevent or stop nerve damage in the eye of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The main finding of this study was these drugs protected patients with nerve damage in the eye from the disease worsening.
Some background
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication of T2D. It is a disease of the small blood vessels of the eye. As blood vessels have tiny nerves within them, it is thought that the nerves in the eye may also be involved in the disease.
Brimonidine (B) and somatostatin (S) are drugs that have shown to have a protective effect on nerves. It is unknown whether giving these drugs into the eye could stop nerve damage and therefore have an impact on DR.
Methods & findings
This study included 449 patients with T2D. They were randomly assigned to either receive one drop of B, S or a placebo twice a day. Patients were treated for 96 weeks.
Overall, there was no significant difference in nerve dysfunction with B or S in comparison to the placebo. However, B and S were both able to stop the nerve damage in patients who already had some degree of nerve damage.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that brimonidine and somatostatin might have a potential role for nerve protection in patients who already have some nerve damage in the eye.
The fine print
This study had a short follow-up period. Longer-term studies are necessary.
Published By :
Diabetes
Date :
Nov 02, 2018
