Can a fluorescent light actually detect diabetes risk? Well, according to the Holland-based company DiagnOptics, it can. They have developed a new device that may be able to identify diabetes risk simply by shining a fluorescent light on a patch of skin below the elbow.

Apparently, the tool illuminates advanced glycation end products (AGEs) -- blood-vessel-damaging sugar byproducts caused by the body's inability to burn sugar efficiently -- which provides a more "long-term memory" of blood sugar control. DiagnOptics says the AGE Reader can perform its duty quickly, easily and non-invasively by using a spectrometer to detect the light emitted by the fluorescent AGEs. Throughout the course of a three- to five-year study, an AGE Reader detected a 35 percent increase in autofluorescence in diabetes patients, and a more marked increase in patients with renal failure. A study of type 2 diabetes patients found that the subjects had much more fluorescent skin than people who did not have diabetes, reported Lutgers and colleagues, two of whom are DiagnOptics co-founders. They added that the more severe the complications from diabetes, the more fluorescent the patient's skin.

"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," Lutgers said in a statement. "The sooner complications are detected, the better the chance of preventing progression of damage." I can see it now, my endogrinologist appointments will soon take place in the setting of a crime scene investigation. This discovery could add a whole new level of role playing to the amusement of my checkups. Allie, put your hands on the table please - palms up.