Stylized illustration of a human eye protected by intricate blood vessels.

Diabetes and Your Eyes: How to Protect Your Vision

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Groundbreaking research highlights a new way to prevent vision loss from diabetic retinopathy"

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major concern as one of the leading causes of vision loss among adults. While treatments like anti-VEGF injections and laser photocoagulation exist, they often have limited effectiveness or unwanted side effects. This creates a pressing need for more reliable and sustained approaches to safeguard vision for individuals with diabetes.

New research offers a beacon of hope for those at risk. The study, published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, explores the potential of targeting a specific enzyme, lysyl oxidase (LOX), to prevent the development and progression of DR. The findings suggest that by inhibiting the overproduction of LOX, it may be possible to prevent the vascular damage associated with this debilitating condition.

This article breaks down the key findings of this study, explaining what LOX is, how it contributes to DR, and how this new research could pave the way for innovative treatments to protect your eyesight.

Understanding Lysyl Oxidase (LOX) and Its Role in Diabetic Retinopathy

Stylized illustration of a human eye protected by intricate blood vessels.

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the creation and maintenance of the structure around blood vessels. It helps to cross-link collagen and elastin, two essential proteins that give strength and flexibility to these structures. Think of it as the glue that holds the framework of your blood vessels together.

In diabetes, high glucose levels can cause an overproduction of LOX in the retina. While LOX is normally helpful, too much of it can cause problems. Excess LOX leads to excessive cross-linking of collagen and elastin, resulting in a thickened basement membrane (BM). This thickening may paradoxically lead to increased leakage and compromise the integrity of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB).

Acellular capillaries (AC): These are capillaries that have lost their cells, becoming non-functional.
Pericyte loss (PL): Pericytes are cells that support and stabilize capillaries. Their loss weakens the vessel walls.

The study's findings suggest that excessive LOX activity contributes to these issues, ultimately damaging the delicate network of blood vessels in the retina. By understanding this process, researchers hope to develop targeted treatments that can prevent or slow the progression of DR.

The Future of Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment

This groundbreaking research offers hope for a future where vision loss from diabetic retinopathy is preventable. By understanding the role of LOX and developing targeted treatments like LOX siRNA, scientists are paving the way for more effective and sustained ways to protect the eyesight of individuals living with diabetes. While further research is needed, these findings mark a significant step forward in the fight against diabetic retinopathy and its devastating consequences.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is diabetic retinopathy, and why is it a concern for people with diabetes?

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major complication of diabetes and a leading cause of vision loss. It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This damage can lead to a range of problems, including blurry vision, floaters, and even blindness. Current treatments like anti-VEGF injections and laser photocoagulation can help, but they aren't always effective and can have side effects. Therefore, there's a need for new ways to protect the vision of people with diabetes.

What is lysyl oxidase (LOX), and what is its usual function in the body?

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is an enzyme naturally present in the body that plays a vital role in maintaining the structure of blood vessels. It helps cross-link collagen and elastin, two proteins that provide strength and flexibility to blood vessel walls. This cross-linking process ensures the structural integrity of these vessels. However, in individuals with diabetes, high glucose levels can lead to an overproduction of LOX in the retina, potentially causing vascular damage.

How does an overproduction of lysyl oxidase (LOX) contribute to diabetic retinopathy?

Too much lysyl oxidase (LOX) in the retina, caused by high glucose levels in diabetes, leads to excessive cross-linking of collagen and elastin. This results in a thickened basement membrane (BM) around the blood vessels. While it might seem like thickening would strengthen the vessels, it paradoxically increases leakage and compromises the blood-retinal barrier (BRB). This damage contributes to the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR).

What are acellular capillaries and pericyte loss, and why are they relevant in the context of diabetic retinopathy?

Acellular capillaries (AC) are blood vessels that have lost their cells and are no longer functional, hindering proper blood flow in the retina. Pericyte loss (PL) refers to the loss of pericytes, which are cells that support and stabilize capillaries. The absence of pericytes weakens the blood vessel walls, making them more prone to damage and leakage. Both acellular capillaries and pericyte loss are characteristics of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and contribute to vision loss.

What is LOX siRNA, and how might it be used to treat diabetic retinopathy in the future?

LOX siRNA represents a potential future treatment strategy for diabetic retinopathy (DR). LOX siRNA could selectively inhibit the production of lysyl oxidase (LOX). By reducing the amount of LOX in the retina, researchers hope to prevent the excessive cross-linking of collagen and elastin that leads to vascular damage. This approach aims to protect the blood-retinal barrier and prevent the progression of DR, potentially offering a more targeted and sustained way to safeguard vision. However, the text doesn't explicitly detail the delivery method, dosage, or potential side effects of LOX siRNA, indicating these aspects require further research.