People with diabetes, who currently monitor their glucose with painful and inconvenient blood tests or implanted probes, could in the future get the same results quickly and non-invasively by safely shining a light into their eye, according to results of a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology.
"We are very pleased with these promising results and plan to move our research to the next phase of human clinical studies," said Craig Misrach, Chairman and CEO of Freedom Meditech. "We believe that our proprietary technology could someday become a standard of care for quick and convenient glucose monitoring for people with diabetes."
The study involved directly measuring glucose non-invasively using optical polarimetry. The concentration of glucose in the aqueous humor (the fluid and blood in the eye behind the cornea and in front of the lens) of rabbits was compared to blood glucose samples. Previously published peer-reviewed research has shown that glucose in the aqueous of the eye correlates to that of glucose in the blood. Based on a total of 41 data points, Clarke error grid analysis indicated 93% in zone A, 7% in zone B, and 0% in zones C and D, with reference concentrations between 93 and 521 mg/dl. The Clarke error grid is used to determine the accuracy of blood glucose measurements with zone A being most accurate.
"An optical polarimetry technique was used for in vivo physiological glucose monitoring. The technique demonstrated provides a basis for the development of a noninvasive polarimetric glucose monitor for home, personal, or hospital use," concluded the article, which was authored by Georgeanne Purvinis, Ph.D., of the Battelle Memorial Institute; Brent D. Cameron, Ph.D., of the University of Toledo; and Douglas M. Altrogge, D.V.M., of North American Science Associates, Inc.
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