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Review
. 2023 Nov 21;15(11):e49211.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.49211. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Advancement in Understanding Diabetic Retinopathy: A Comprehensive Review

Sharad Chaurasia  1 , Archana R Thool  2 , Khizer K Ansari  1 , Azeem I Saifi  1
Affiliations
Review

Advancement in Understanding Diabetic Retinopathy: A Comprehensive Review

Sharad Chaurasia et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a significant global health concern, with its prevalence and severity increasing alongside the rising incidence of diabetes. DR is a leading cause of vision impairment among working-age adults, resulting in substantial economic and healthcare burdens. This article explores the epidemiology and pathophysiology of DR, highlighting the global variation in its prevalence and the associated systemic risk factors. It delves into the complex relationship between glycemic control, duration of diabetes, and medication use in the context of DR development and progression. The review also discusses current screening methods and their implications, emphasizing the need for efficient and scalable approaches. Furthermore, it investigates the various treatment strategies available for DR, including laser photocoagulation, vitreous body excision, and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy, while underlining their limitations and potential side effects. In conclusion, this article underscores the urgency of developing novel preventive and therapeutic approaches for DR. It highlights the potential role of cytokines and growth factors as treatment targets and emphasizes the importance of glycemic control and management of systemic risk factors in mitigating the impact of this vision-threatening complication of diabetes. The article serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the challenges posed by DR and the need for innovative strategies to address this growing public health concern.

Keywords: diabetic retinopathy; ocular complications; screening strategies; therapeutic interventions; vascular abnormalities.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. PRISMA methodology
PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Image credits: Sharad Chaurasia
Figure 2
Figure 2. Representation of the complete retina image. The left fundus image shows a healthy retina, while the right fundus image displays the presence of diabetic retinopathy symptoms in the retina.
Image credits: Sharad Chaurasia
Figure 3
Figure 3. Various Diabetic retinopathy risk factors
Image credits: Sharad Chaurasia
Figure 4
Figure 4. Illustration of convolutional neural network detecting diabetic retinopathy using fundus imaging and depicting ocular telemedicine
Image credits: Sharad Chaurasia
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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