Map of lesions predicts vision loss

New research from City, University of London reveals that mapping the location of early lesions in the eye can predict an individual’s risk of developing vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy.

The study, which was published in Diabetologica, identified areas in the retina where initial lesions were associated with an increased risk of developing the condition.

The researchers found that the probability of progression to vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy was higher in patients who had early lesions in a circular area temporal to the fovea.

Study author, Dr Giovanni Ometto, highlighted that the use of lesion occurrence maps could be used to predict diabetic retinopathy and reduce the burden of disease.

“By optimising screening programmes we hope that we can identify high risk diabetics at an early stage and deliver appropriate interventions before severe symptoms appear,” he added.