(The Gist of Science Reporter) Device for Diabetic Retinopathy Testing

[September-2020]

One arising in diabetics is Diabetic Retinopathy. This is an of the several complications abnormal growth in the retinal blood vessels and usually worsens when the patient is on insulin. Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy include blurred vision, problems in recognising colours, etc.
There is a long and inconvenient procedure for examining this condition of the eye, as part of which ophthalmologists use many modern laboratory techniques. But now IIT Guwahati researchers have developed a portable point-of-care device for early and easy detection of diabetic retinopathy. It is a microfluidic analyzer device developed in collaboration with Shri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, Guwahati which can alert the patient by identifying diabetic retinopathy at an early stage with the help of tear or urine sample.
The research team identified a protein called beta-2 microglobulin or B2M, found in tears and urine of the patients. It’s a reliable biomarker for the condition. The device uses nanogold-laden antibodies of the protein to detect its presence in the sample.
A colour change in the sample denotes the presence of protein. The device is as easy and portable as a glucometer, so a patient can be examined easily at general clinics.
The research has been published in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering. The team has also filed an Indian patent for this idea and device.