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The dry form is associated with changes in Bruch's membrane that lead to atrophic cell death of the central retina or macula, which is required for fine vision used for activities such as reading, driving or recognizing faces. The wet form is caused by growth of abnormal blood vessels under the macula, also known as choroidal neovascularization (CNV) or ocular angiogenesis. These vessels are of poor quality and tend to leak fluid and blood and cause scar tissue that destroys the central retina. This results in a deterioration of sight over time.

ABOUT DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in American and European adults. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration estimates that there are 17 million people with diabetes in the United States. During the first two decades of the disease, more than 60 percent of diabetes patients will develop retinopathy. Blood vessels damaged from diabetic retinopathy can cause vision loss in two ways. First, fragile, abnormal blood vessels can develop and leak blood into the center of the eye, blurring vision. This is proliferative retinopathy and is the most advanced stage of the disease. Second, fluid can leak into the center of the macula, the part of the eye where sharp, straight-ahead vision occurs. The fluid makes the macula swell, blurring vision. This condition is called macular edema. It can occur at any stage of diabetic retinopathy, although it is more likely to occur as the disease progresses. About half of the people with proliferative retinopathy also have macular edema.

ABOUT ELLEX

Ellex Medical Lasers Limited (ASX: ELX) designs, manufactures and markets a complete line of lasers and diagnostic ultrasound systems used by ophthalmologists to diagnose and treat eye diseases. With
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