New concepts in pathogenesis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy

Retinal neovascularization is a major feature of proliferative diabetic ret inopathy, which represents a major public health problem, being responsible for more irreversible blindness in persons of middle and older age than an y other pathology. The societal burden of ocular neovascularization has pro mpted extensive research into its mechanisms. The aim of this review will b e to briefly summarize the current knowledge regarding the clinical and lab oratory findings of diabetic retinopathy. From an investigational view, stu dies of ocular neovascularization provide important informations, often per mitting real-time, serial observations of neovascularization in vivo. This allows investigators to analyse the relevance of specific pathogenic concep ts regarding mechanisms of angiogenesis in vivo. This review additionally d escribe current concepts regarding the pathogenesis and treatment of diabet ic retinopathy.