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CHAPTER 3. ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AND DIABETIC

RETINOPATHY

Overview

In this chapter, we will begin by introducing you to official information sources on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) relating to diabetic retinopathy. At the conclusion of this chapter, we will provide additional sources.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health (http://nccam.nih.gov/) has created a link to the National Library of Medicine’s databases to facilitate research for articles that specifically relate to diabetic retinopathy and complementary medicine. To search the database, go to the following Web site: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nccam/camonpubmed.html. Select “CAM on PubMed.” Enter “diabetic retinopathy” (or synonyms) into the search box. Click “Go.” The following references provide information on particular aspects of complementary and alternative medicine that are related to diabetic retinopathy:

•Acceleration of experimental diabetic retinopathy in the rat by omega-3 fatty acids.

Author(s): Hammes HP, Weiss A, Fuhrer D, Kramer HJ, Papavassilis C, Grimminger F. Source: Diabetologia. 1996 March; 39(3): 251-5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=8721768

•Antioxidant nutrient intake and diabetic retinopathy: the San Luis Valley Diabetes Study.

Author(s): Mayer-Davis EJ, Bell RA, Reboussin BA, Rushing J, Marshall JA, Hamman RF.

Source: Ophthalmology. 1998 December; 105(12): 2264-70. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=9855158

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•Diabetic retinopathy and capillary resistance. Comparative study of various treatments.

Author(s): Sevin R, Cuendet JF.

Source: Bibl Ophthalmol. 1968; 76: 139-45. No Abstract Available. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=5674834

•Diabetic retinopathy.

Author(s): Kohner EM, Oakley NW.

Source: Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental. 1975 September; 24(9): 1085-102. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=1097858

•Diabetic retinopathy: study of the action of O-betahydroxyethyl-rutosides (HR) by retinal fluoresceinography.

Author(s): Tschopp M, Pometta D, Babel J. Source: Diabetologia. 1970 October; 6(5): 475-81.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=5474813

•Flavonoid therapy in diabetic retinopathy.

Author(s): BRICKLEY PM, GIFFORD BL, DOMZ CA.

Source: Calif Med. 1959 January; 90(1): 45-8. No Abstract Available. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=13618745

•Influence of different diets on the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

Author(s): Houtsmuller AJ, van Hal-Ferwerda J, Zahn KJ, Henkes HE. Source: Prog Food Nutr Sci. 1980; 4(5): 41-6. No Abstract Available.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=7005962

•National screening programme for diabetic retinopathy. Screening by retinal photography offers holistic package of diabetic care.

Author(s): Prince CB.

Source: Bmj (Clinical Research Ed.). 2002 April 6; 324(7341): 849; Author Reply 849-50. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=11936161

•Nitric oxide deficiency, leukocyte activation, and resultant ischemia are crucial to the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy/neuropathy--preventive potential of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, chromium, ginkgolides, and pentoxifylline.

Author(s): McCarty MF.

Source: Medical Hypotheses. 1998 May; 50(5): 435-49. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=9681924

•Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and macular edema.

Author(s): Smith SC.

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Source: Insight (American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses). 1999 April-June; 24(2): 59-62; Quiz 63-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=11907881

•Platelet abnormalities as related to diabetic retinopathy (with special reference to platelet shape change).

Author(s): Porta M, O'Brien ME, Kohner EM. Source: Horm Metab Res Suppl. 1981; 11: 50-4.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=6797912

•Polyunsaturated fatty acids and diabetic retinopathy.

Author(s): Howard-Williams J, Patel P, Jelfs R, Carter RD, Awdry P, Bron A, Mann JI, Hockaday TD.

Source: The British Journal of Ophthalmology. 1985 January; 69(1): 15-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=3965024

•Pycnogenol for diabetic retinopathy. A review.

Author(s): Schonlau F, Rohdewald P.

Source: International Ophthalmology. 2001; 24(3): 161-71. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=12498513

•Relation between intake of vitamins C and E and risk of diabetic retinopathy in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Author(s): Millen AE, Klein R, Folsom AR, Stevens J, Palta M, Mares JA. Source: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2004 May; 79(5): 865-73.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=15113727

•Relations of serum ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol to diabetic retinopathy in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Author(s): Millen AE, Gruber M, Klein R, Klein BE, Palta M, Mares JA. Source: American Journal of Epidemiology. 2003 August 1; 158(3): 225-33.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=12882944

•Unsaturated fats and progression of diabetic retinopathy.

Author(s): Houtsmuller AJ, Zahn KJ, Henkes HE.

Source: Documenta Ophthalmologica. Advances in Ophthalmology. 1980 April 15; 48(2): 363-71. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=A bstract&list_uids=6995054

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Additional Web Resources

A number of additional Web sites offer encyclopedic information covering CAM and related topics. The following is a representative sample:

•Alternative Medicine Foundation, Inc.: http://www.herbmed.org/

•AOL: http://search.aol.com/cat.adp?id=169&layer=&from=subcats

•Chinese Medicine: http://www.newcenturynutrition.com/

•drkoop.com : http://www.drkoop.com/InteractiveMedicine/IndexC.html

•Family Village: http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/med_altn.htm

•Google: http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Alternative/

•Healthnotes: http://www.healthnotes.com/

•MedWebPlus: http://medwebplus.com/subject/Alternative_and_Complementary_Medicine

•Open Directory Project: http://dmoz.org/Health/Alternative/

•HealthGate: http://www.tnp.com/

•WebMD Health: http://my.webmd.com/drugs_and_herbs

•WholeHealthMD.com: http://www.wholehealthmd.com/reflib/0,1529,00.html

•Yahoo.com: http://dir.yahoo.com/Health/Alternative_Medicine/

The following is a specific Web list relating to diabetic retinopathy; please note that any particular subject below may indicate either a therapeutic use, or a contraindication (potential danger), and does not reflect an official recommendation:

•General Overview

Diabetes

Source: Healthnotes, Inc.; www.healthnotes.com

Diabetes

Source: Prima Communications, Inc.www.personalhealthzone.com

Retinopathy

Source: Healthnotes, Inc.; www.healthnotes.com

•Herbs and Supplements

Bilberry

Alternative names: Vaccinium myrtillus, European Blueberry, Huckleberry Source: Integrative Medicine Communications; www.drkoop.com

Bilberry

Source: Prima Communications, Inc.www.personalhealthzone.com