Visual complications related to diabetes are increasing with the rampant increase in the incidence of diabetes. The CDC reports 24 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, while an additional 57 million have blood sugar levels that qualify them as pre-diabetic. In an effort to decrease complications from diabetes, a new screening device has been developed at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center by Victor M. Elner, M.D., Ph.D., and Howard R. Petty, Ph.D. The device can assist in identifying, correcting, and treating diabetic retinopathy 10 to 15 years earlier than other non-invasive clinical methods can even detect signs of diabetes. Retinal Metabolic Analysis (RMA(TM)) costs as little as $20 and does not require the patient to fast or have blood drawn. The developers of this device report that the patient "[horizontal ellipsis]sits in front of the instrument, the device is focused on the eye, a specialized photograph is taken and results are available immediately".

If RMA^TX screening detects metabolic changes predictable of diabetes the patient undergoes further testing. Using the results of this non-invasive procedure, appropriate steps can be taken to manage diabetes early in its development and hopefully prevent diabetic complications. The device is undergoing further testing and a patent application is underway. Additional information about this product can be found at: http://www.ocusciences.com/index.html

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