Light test for diabetes

A new type of light test developed by the Dutch firm DiagnOptics will allow doctors to measure fluorescent deposits left on the skin, and warn diabetes patients about the associated risks.
The tool is supported by a recent study at the Groningen University Medical Centre, in the Netherlands . The study team found that people suffering from diabetes have more fluorescent skin than those who are not. Furthermore, particular complications can be identified by how fluorescent the skin is.
The luminescence actually comes from a build up of sugary matter, damaging the nerves, heart, eye, and blood vessels. They are known as AGEs, or advanced glycation end products, and glow brightly when hit by fluorescent lights .
Helen Lutgers, author of the Diabetes Care published study, said: “With this tool, doctors could easily check people with diabetes in an outpatient clinic setting to see whether they may already be developing dangerous complications. The sooner complications are detected, the better the chance of preventing progression of damage.”
The new test will make diabetes diagnosis much easier, good news for healthcare experts and the estimated 750,000 undiagnosed diabetics in the United Kingdom.