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Dr. Stewart Investigates Impact of Sugar on Diabetics’ Sight

October 14, 2014

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has awarded clinician scientist Jay Stewart, MD, $110,000 to study how sugar affects the vitreous gel of diabetes patients. The vitreous gel fills the space between the eye’s lens and retina.

The studies will test the hypothesis that as the vitreous gel is exposed to sugar in diabetes, it is damaged in ways that accelerate the processes that lead to vision loss.  Dr. Stewart’s team will also evaluate a novel therapeutic approach to block these harmful alterations, possibly slowing the onset of diabetic retinopathy and preserving sight.