Frontiers in diabetic retinal disease

Marie E Wistrup Torm*, Tim F Dorweiler, Ward Fickweiler, S Robert Levine, Patrice E Fort, Jennifer K Sun, Thomas W Gardner

*Corresponding author for this work

Abstract

Diabetic retinal disease (DRD) remains a leading cause of vision loss and blindness globally. Although treatments can be effective when given at vision-threatening stages of DRD, there is a lack of knowledge about the earliest mechanisms leading to the development of clinically evident DRD. Recent advances in retinal imaging methods for patients with diabetes allow a more precise and granular characterization of the different stages of DRD than is provided by the classic Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale based on fundus photographs. In addition, recent clinical studies have yielded more information on how to adjust blood glucose levels, lipid levels and blood pressure to minimize the risk of DRD. Given the incomplete success of current therapies, there is a critical need for better understanding of the mechanisms underlying DRD and novel treatment targets that address the entire neurovascular retina. Moreover, the causes for interindividual variability in the development of DRD in patients with similar glycemic history and other metabolic factors are not yet clarified either. Finally, greater focus on patients' experience with visual disabilities and treatment effects should be addressed in research in this field.

Original languageEnglish
Article number108386
JournalJournal of Diabetes and its Complications
Volume37
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)1-5
Number of pages5
ISSN1056-8727
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2023

Keywords

  • Diabetic retinal disease
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Pathophysiology
  • Microvascular abnormalities
  • Retinal neurodegeneration
  • Visual function

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Frontiers in diabetic retinal disease'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this