DR sleep mask tackles retinal deterioration

Medical firm PolyPhotonix has rolled out a diabetic retinopathy preventative sleep mask treatment for NHS eligible patients.  

In a UK wide launch, optical practices will have access to the Noctura 400 Sleep Mask as an early-stage, non-invasive home treatment, which aimed to reduce NHS waiting lists by stopping the eye condition from progressing to intravitreal injections. 

The mask is said to deliver a precise dose of light therapy during sleep and is programmed to administer the correct dose of light each night, as part of a continuous therapy, which prevents the retina becoming oxygen starved at night, during dark adaptation. 

An NHS evaluation resulted in 96% of diabetic eye disease patients seeing a clinical improvement and avoiding further deterioration of the retina after using the mask, according to PolyPhotonix.