Type 1 diabetics required for “ground-breaking” vision study

OPTOMETRY researchers at Aston University’s new £10 million Academy of Life Sciences are currently undertaking ground-breaking research into the vision problems caused by diabetics – one of the leading causes of blindness and vision loss in the UK. So far, the study has been very successful with a large number of diabetic volunteers stepping forward to take part in the study, but the researchers still require some more Type 1 diabetics (insulin dependent patients usually diagnosed under the age of 30) in order to obtain reliable results.

What bothers me is that it is yet another study to confirm things which are already known, similar to the “ground-breaking” NIH study which demonstrated that better blood sugar control is good for diabetics!

I would rather have this funds devoted towards curing the disease.

In order to obtain the significant and reliable results required the researchers hope that further Type 1 diabetics will take part in a series of six short vision assessments over a period of 12 hours. Participants may be of any age and either sex and do not need a vision problem to take part. All volunteers receive a £50 payment and meals on the day in thanks for their involvement. Tests involve reading test charts and having non-invasive retinal photographs taken. Dilating drops will not be used and therefore volunteers will be able to drive after the study. Blood sugar levels will be taken regularly using the finger prick blood test.

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