All those with diabetes are at risk of developing certain eye diseases
Today, more than 30 million Americans have diabetes (about 1 in 10), and 90-95 percent of them have type 2 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All those with diabetes are at risk of developing certain eye diseases, including diabetes-related retinopathy, diabetes-related macular edema, cataract and glaucoma. Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults.
For the second consecutive year, Oxurion NV, a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative treatments to preserve vision in patients with diabetic eye disease, has partnered with Prevent Blindness, the nation’s oldest voluntary eye health and safety organization, during November’s Diabetes-related Eye Disease Awareness Month. Both groups will work to educate the public on risk factors, symptoms, treatment options, and financial assistance resources.
“The number of diabetes cases continues to soar,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “Through awareness and education, our goal is to minimize the damaging effects that diabetes can have on vision.”
“Many people may not be aware of the impact that diabetes can have on vision, which can affect everything from quality of life, to the ability to remain independent,” said Patrik De Haes, M.D., CEO of Oxurion NV. “By working with Prevent Blindness once again, we are able to offer hope and help to the millions of patients with diabetes, and their caregivers, through our various resources.”
For more information on diabetes-related eye disease, please call Prevent Blindness at (800) 331-2020 or visit preventblindness.org/diabetes. For those who have or who care for someone with Low Vision from diabetes, visit the Prevent Blindness free online resource, Living Well with Low Vision: http://lowvision.preventblindness.org.
About Prevent Blindness
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call (800) 331-2020. Or, visit us on the Web at preventblindness.org or facebook.com/preventblindness.
About Oxurion
Oxurion (Euronext Brussels: OXUR) is a biopharmaceutical company developing treatments to preserve vision in patients with diseases affecting the back of the eye. The company has built a diverse portfolio of disease-modifying therapies, including treatments for diabetic eye disease, a leading cause of blindness in people of working age worldwide.
Oxurion’s clinical pipeline consists of THR-317, a PlGF inhibitor, for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) and MacTel1; THR-149, a plasma kallikrein inhibitor for the treatment of DME; and THR- 687, a pan-RGD integrin antagonist for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and DME. Further new drug candidates are currently being assessed and developed for the treatment of diabetic eye disease.
Oxurion owns the global rights to Jetrea® (ocriplasmin), the only pharmacological vitreolysis drug approved for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (in the U.S.) and vitreomacular traction (outside the U.S.).
Oxurion is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and is listed on the Euronext Brussels exchange under the symbol OXUR. In the US, Oxurion NV operates ThromboGenics, Inc. as a subsidiary company. More information is available at www.oxurion.com.
Download a copy of the Oxurion/Prevent Blindness Diabete-Related Eye Disease press release
