Rheohemapheresis May Be Successful

Abstract

The authors correctly write that diabetic retinopathy is a microangiopathy of the retina with changes to the vascular walls and the rheological properties of blood. However, they omitted to mention a particular therapeutic approach that has been used to treat diabetic retinopathy for many years (1). The rheological properties of blood are primarily determined by the number of erythrocytes. The packed cell volume should be lowered if patients tolerate this without developing problems. Further, blood rheology is determined by plasma proteins, which can be eliminated by means of apheresis technology. Rheohemapheresis has been used successfully for many years to improve the rheological properties of blood, not only in diabetic retinopathy but also in the treatment of other diabetes related complications. In diabetic foot syndrome, for example, apheresis therapy has been shown to accelerate wound healing and helped avoid amputations (2). Apheresis technology has also been used to treat all pathologies that are caused by impaired blood viscosity or microcirculation (3). Rheohemapheresis is a safe therapeutic option that imposes a minimal burden on the patient. If the indication is defined correctly, it can complement the therapeutic modalities described by the authors and can delay vision loss in diabetic retinopathy. The positive effects on rheology apply not only locally but also systemically. The costs of outpatient rheohemapheresis therapy are usually not covered by statutory health insurance companies.