Following a period of research at the University of Liverpool to qualify early findings, Phase 3 trials are now underway at the world-leading Moorfields Eye Hospital to see whether a bespoke LED “night mask” can offer a cheaper, non-invasive solution to retinopathy in diabetes sufferers.

There are currently two treatments for diabetic retinopathy. The first involves an unpleasant injection directly into the eyeball, costing £12,000 per eye per year, and the second is laser surgery which actually only delays the progress of the disease.

The brainchild of entrepreneur Richard Kirk, the Nocturna Night Mask prevents damage caused during sleep by lack of oxygen. This inhibits the development of abnormal blood cells which contribute to loss of vision.

“The Nocturna 400 treatment has the potential to save more than £1bn per year from NHS budgets” claims Kirk. As well as being low cost, it can be carried out at home, thereby reducing the burden on NHS hospitals. If proved to be effective, the Mask could revolutionise the treatment of a range of sight-threatening conditions including age-related macular degeneration.

Sources:

1. Noctura:
   Sleep Mask for Diabetic Retinopathy.
2. Diabetes.co.uk:
   LED eye mask as non-invasive treatment device for retinopathy.