Eye scan could detect diabetic nerve damage

Research on ophthalmic markers of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) may help to develop a quick, painless test to screen for diabetes-related nerve damage at routine eye care appointments.

This is the goal of research being carried out by Professor Nathan Efron, who has published a review in Optometry and Vision Science. A diabetic, he has conducted extensive research into ways of detecting DPN by examining the eyes, a connection made possible through techniques such as corneal confocal microscopy. Professor Efron and his fellow researchers have discovered that diabetic neuropathy is linked to degradation of the corneal nerves, reduced corneal sensitivity, thinning of the retinal nerve fibres and peripheral nerve loss.