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Noctura 400, the sleep mask designed to address diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema, has garnered attention in the medical community. The device emits a specific wavelength of light to reduce the effects of hypoxia in the retina during sleep. The concept is promising, and healthcare professionals are starting to consider it as a regular treatment option for their diabetic retinopathy patients.
Research and development into the device that has become Noctura 400 started in 2010, with studies at City St. George’s University, London. Following on from this work, more studies were undertaken showing positive results, and in 2014, Noctura 400 showed enough safety and effectivity evidence to obtain a CE mark, so that it could be placed on the market in the UK and Europe.
Studies showed that Noctura 400 can lead to improvements in retinal thickness and visual acuity. Many patients have reported improvement or stabilization of their diabetic eye conditions, which is very encouraging. Noctura 400 is currently the only treatment available in the UK for early stage diabetic retinopathy, where it should find its niche.
Further work has been done since obtaining CE, to generate more clinical evidence, with the ultimate aim of making Noctura 400 available on the NHS. The device has also been much refined from the original version, to its present day, ergonomic, wearable form.
Early prototype
Noctura 400 today
Mr Meyer-Bothling, a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Ashford St. Peters NHS Trust, was involved in a more recent Noctura 400 study. Here, he talks to Top Doctors about Noctura 400.
Many doctors acknowledge the potential benefits of Noctura 400 and believe it is a valuable preventive measure and adjunct treatment to be used in combination with existing treatments in a patient’s treatment pathway. The device’s non-invasive nature and ease of use are appealing, and it could reduce footfall in the clinic, because if it is used to treat early stage diabetic retinopathy, before maculopathy or retinal bleeding occurs, it will reduce the need for more invasive treatments because it prevents the condition progressing to that stage.
Some doctors have not heard of Noctura 400 yet. It’s manufactured by a small company called PolyPhotonix Medical, and even with scientific evidence and the backing of highly regarded Key Opinion Leaders in Ophthalmology, it takes time and money to elevate a product in a market and treatment pathway dominated by global pharmaceutical firms.
Diabetic eye screening is a crucial part of diabetes management in the UK, helping to detect early signs of diabetic retinopathy before vision loss occurs. The NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) offers routine checks to people with diabetes aged 12 and over.
The frequency of diabetic eye screening depends on individual risk factors:
Diabetic retinopathy can develop without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Regular screening allows doctors to detect changes in the retina and provide timely treatment, reducing the risk of vision impairment.
In 2016, the UK National Screening Committee recommended extending screening intervals for people at lower risk of sight loss. This change was implemented in England from October 2023, aligning with practices in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The screening process involves taking digital photographs of the retina to check for signs of damage. If abnormalities are detected, patients may be referred for further assessment or treatment.
Diabetic eye screening is a vital tool in preventing sight loss. If you’re eligible, attending your screening appointments can help safeguard your vision.
There is currently no treatment for early-stage diabetic retinopathy in the UK. Patients are advised to maintain good management of diabetes and attend screening for observation.
If the condition progresses to a more advanced or proliferative stage, and maculopathy or retinal bleeding occurs, treatment is offered. Treatment consists of laser photocoagulation of the leaky blood vessels or intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF or steroids. Most clinicians currently use Lucentis (ranibizumab) from Novartis or Eylea (aflibercept) by Bayer for later stage diabetic retinopathy. Newer Anti-VEGF molecules are becoming available, as are biosimilars (generics) however these treatments still require injections into the eyeball as their delivery method.
Side effects of laser treatment include blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light and discomfort. Complications can include reduced night vision, and permanent loss of peripheral vision or blind spots due to the laser burn sites on the retina.
Common side effects of anti-VEGF intravitreal injection include transient flashing lights immediately after the injection, bleeding at the point of injection which clears in a week or two and discomfort and ‘small specks’ in the vision, lasting a few days after treatment. Although not so common, there is also a risk of infection.
The treatment is expensive e.g. in the UK, according to NICE MIB144, the total cost of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections for DMO in 1 eye is £6,536 per patient per year (based on £550 for cost of treatment; £267 per day-case appointment; and an average of 8 treatments in the first year). The corresponding total cost of treatment of both eyes is £10,936 (assuming both eyes are treated at the same appointment).
Treatment continues for several years depending on the eye’s response. OCT scans and a vision test are performed at each visit, to decide how often treatment can be spaced out to keep the condition under control. On average 8 injections are needed in the first year (a ‘loading dose’), 3 in the second year and 2 in the third year, although some patients require a much lower number of injections and some many more.
Noctura 400 delays prevents the progression of Diabetic Retinopathy, thus preventing the need for these invasive and unpleasant treatments. It can be used at any stage in the disease pathway, to stabilise the condition and prevent its progression to later stages and vision loss.
It’s a natural, drug-free treatment for diabetic retinopathy, the light used being part of the natural light spectrum.
Below, Professor Carlos Pavesio talks about Noctura 400. Carlos is a world-renowned Consultant Ophthalmologist from Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. He is known worldwide for his knowledge and expertise in the Ophthalmology field, and he has seen what a difference Noctura 400 can make.
Patients using Noctura 400 have shared positive outcomes, including improved vision and reduced prescription needs. Their testimonials provide hope for those seeking alternatives to invasive procedures. We have many long term users both in the UK and abroad.
We treat all our customers as individuals, so feel free to contact us at anytime to discuss your individual circumstances – we’re happy to talk through Noctura 400 or send you information by email – and you can find out if Noctura 400 is suitable for you.
If you have Diabetic Retinopathy or Diabetic Macular Oedema and you live in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, check with your doctor to see if you are eligible.
Noctura 400 represents a step forward in managing diabetic eye conditions, but its journey in gaining widespread medical endorsement is ongoing. Doctors that know about Noctura 400 understand the science behind it, and know that it is extremely effective tool for treating and preventing diabetic retinopathy.
Although treatment pathways are currently dominated by global pharmaceutical firms, doctors know that Noctura 400, an at home treatment with a flawless safety profile, fits perfectly into the early stage niche.
Depending on your NHS trust, Noctura 400 may be available from your GP, and as the Noctura 400 mission continues, we hope that it one day will be available from all GP’s. Until then, it remains available privately, online and from selected optometrists, for those interested in trying it.
Visit noctura.com for more information
