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Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 1/2017

01-01-2017 | Review Article

The neurovascular unit and the pathophysiologic basis of diabetic retinopathy

Authors: Thomas W. Gardner, Jose R. Davila

Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology | Issue 1/2017

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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.
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Metadata
Title
The neurovascular unit and the pathophysiologic basis of diabetic retinopathy
Authors
Thomas W. Gardner
Jose R. Davila
Publication date
01-01-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology / Issue 1/2017
Print ISSN: 0721-832X
Electronic ISSN: 1435-702X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-016-3548-y

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