Researchers in Massachusetts are reporting an advance in bridging huge gaps in medical knowledge about the biochemical changes that occur inside the eyes of individuals with diabetic retinopathy (DR) — a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in adults.

Two major eye diseases and leading causes of blindness—age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy—can be reversed or even prevented by drugs that activate a protein found in blood vessel cells, researchers at the University of Utah School of Medicine and several other institutions have announced in a new study.

After an injury, the body grows new blood vessels to repair damaged tissue. But sometimes too much growth causes problems, as when new blood vessels in the eyes leak, causing diabetic retinopathy and blindness if not treated.

Researchers will present study results that indicate that subconjunctivally delivered insulin ameliorates degenerative and inflammatory responses in diabetic rat retinas at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2007 Annual Meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The presentation will take place on Thursday, May 10 from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Hall B/C of the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.

Research increasingly shows promise to both slow and relieve the effects diabetic retinopathy, the most common complication of diabetes.