The neurovascular unit and the pathophysiologic basis of diabetic retinopathy.

Thomas W Gardner, Jose R Davila

Journal: Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie 2017;255(1):1-6

PMID: 27832340

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Abstract

PURPOSE

To relate the concept of the retinal neurovascular unit and its alterations in diabetes to the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy.

METHODS

Case illustrations and conceptual frameworks are presented that illustrate adaptive and maladaptive "dis-integration" of the retinal neurovascular unit with the progression of diabetes.

RESULTS

Retinopathy treatment should address pathophysiologic processes rather than pathologic lesions as is current practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Future improvements in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy requires deeper understanding of the cellular and molecular changes induced by diabetes, coupled with the use of quantitative phenotyping methods that assess the pathophysiologic processes.

Address: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan Medical School, 1000 Wall St, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA. [email protected].; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan Medical School, 1000 Wall St, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA.

DOI: 10.1007/s00417-016-3548-y

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https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00417-016-3548-y

MeSH Terms: Diabetic Retinopathy, Disease Progression, Humans, Retina, Retinal Neovascularization, Tomography, Optical Coherence