Oxygenation and vasodilatation in relation to diabetic and other proliferative retinopathies

Abstract

The features of proliferative retinopathies are reviewed with reference to the vasodilatation that is a common stage in their pathogenesis. Vasodilatation in the retina is discussed in terms of a model in which vessel wall stretch in the retinal venules leads to leakage and proliferation. The beneficial effects of treatments such as panretinal photocoagulation and vitrectomy on the retinal hemodynamics are shown to agree with the hypothetical model.