Steroid slowed retinopathy

BALTIMORE, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Injecting a corticosteroid directly into the eye may slow the progression of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, researchers in Maryland said.

In experiments, the corticosteroid triamcinolone slowed progression of the disease, which is a complication of diabetes that frequently leads to blindness, researchers at Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute in Baltimore said in a release Monday.

The treatment is not yet ready for general use because of side effects, such as an increased risk for cataracts and glaucoma, said Neil Bressler, a chief opthamologist at the institute.

"Steroid treatment worked, but because of safety issues, cannot be recommended routinely at this time," Bressler said, noting the condition can be treated safely and effectively with lasers.

Future research will explore further development of corticosteroids without the risk of severe side effects, he said in the December issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.