Sidra Zafar1, Mira Sachdeva1, Benjamin J Frankfort2, Roomasa Channa3,4. 1. Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA. 2. Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. 3. Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA. rchanna@bcm.edu. 4. Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. rchanna@bcm.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of visual impairment and blindness throughout the world. Microvascular changes have long been regarded central to disease pathogenesis. In recent years, however, retinal neurodegeneration is increasingly being hypothesized to occur prior to the vascular changes classically associated with DR and contribute to disease pathogenesis. RECENT FINDINGS: There is growing structural and functional evidence from human and animal studies that suggests retinal neurodegeneration to be an early component of DR. Identification of new therapeutic targets is an ongoing area of research with several different molecules undergoing testing in animal models for their neuroprotective properties and for possible use in humans. Retinal neurodegeneration may play a central role in DR pathogenesis. As new therapies are developed, it will be important to develop criteria for clinically defining retinal neurodegeneration. A standardization of the methods for monitoring neurodegeneration along with more sensitive means of detecting preclinical damage is also needed.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of visual impairment and blindness throughout the world. Microvascular changes have long been regarded central to disease pathogenesis. In recent years, however, retinal neurodegeneration is increasingly being hypothesized to occur prior to the vascular changes classically associated with DR and contribute to disease pathogenesis. RECENT FINDINGS: There is growing structural and functional evidence from human and animal studies that suggests retinal neurodegeneration to be an early component of DR. Identification of new therapeutic targets is an ongoing area of research with several different molecules undergoing testing in animal models for their neuroprotective properties and for possible use in humans. Retinal neurodegeneration may play a central role in DR pathogenesis. As new therapies are developed, it will be important to develop criteria for clinically defining retinal neurodegeneration. A standardization of the methods for monitoring neurodegeneration along with more sensitive means of detecting preclinical damage is also needed.
Authors: Ziqi Tang; Ming Yan Chan; Wai Yin Leung; Ho Yeung Wong; Ching Man Ng; Victor T T Chan; Raymond Wong; Jerry Lok; Simon Szeto; Jason C K Chan; Clement C Tham; Tien Y Wong; Carol Y Cheung Journal: Eye (Lond) Date: 2020-06-24 Impact factor: 3.775
Authors: Sidra Zafar; Kristen A Staggers; Jie Gao; Yao Liu; Praveen J Patel; Paul J Foster; Benjamin J Frankfort; Michael Abramoff; Charles G Minard; Alasdair Warwick; Anthony P Khawaja; Roomasa Channa Journal: Br J Ophthalmol Date: 2021-12-24 Impact factor: 5.908
Authors: Bingjie Qiu; Lin Zhao; Xinyuan Zhang; Yanhong Wang; Qiyun Wang; Yao Nie; Xiaosi Chen; Carol Y L Cheung Journal: Front Med (Lausanne) Date: 2021-12-10
Authors: Roomasa Channa; Kyungmoo Lee; Kristen A Staggers; Nitish Mehta; Sidra Zafar; Jie Gao; Benjamin J Frankfort; Sharon Y L Chua; Anthony P Khawaja; Paul J Foster; Praveen J Patel; Charles G Minard; Chris Amos; Michael D Abramoff Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-09-29 Impact factor: 3.240