Recent advances in diabetic retinopathy.

Despite the fact that we still do not understand what causes the development of retinopathy in diabetic subjects, major advances in its treatment have taken place. Photocoagulation clearly reduces the retinopathy although how early treatment should be initiated has not been clearly defined. Vitrectomy is capable of restoring vision in many already blind eyes but at some risk. We are inching closer to an understanding of the pathophysiology of retinopathy with development of retinal endothelial and pericyte cell culture techniques, studies of vascular permeability, flow and angiogenesis. Diabetic retinopathy is more common at early durations of diabetes than previously realized. This may allow for prospective intervention studies, using development of retinopathy as an endpoint. Diabetic retinopathy may be a reasonable index of short-term survival.