Great news for people with diabetes. The dreaded finger stick may soon be history. The need to monitor a diabetic's blood sugar has not passed...just a potential new way to gather that data.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have published a study showing how the use of tears can provide the same vital information that is gathered from the finger stick blood test. With some diabetics sticking their fingers up to ten times a day, this has the potential to reduce a lot of discomfort for those people.
The system to test tears involves a device with a sensor that touches the white of the eye. After five seconds an accurate measurement is produced.
It is vital for people with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar. Uncontrolled blood sugar leads to complications in the kidneys, eyes, and feet, such as the formation of diabetic foot ulcers. Finger stick blood tests are often a stumbling block as people just don't want another needle stick. This advance will break down those barriers and allow everyone better access to monitoring their blood sugar.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/11/new-diabetes-test-tears_n_1088432.html