Volume 21, Issue 7 pp. 666-672

Medical management of diabetic retinopathy

A. K. Sjølie

Corresponding Author

A. K. Sjølie

Department of Ophthalmology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark

Correspondence to: A. K. Sjølie, Department of Ophthalmology, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark.Search for more papers by this author
F. Møller

F. Møller

Department of Ophthalmology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark

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First published: 21 June 2004
Citations: 9

Abstract

Although current treatment and prevention of diabetic retinopathy with laser photocoagulation, and tight metabolic and blood pressure control has reduced the risk of visual loss, there is still a need for additional therapies.

A literature review on medical therapies for diabetic retinopathy has been performed, and the following classes of drugs are discussed: blockers of the renin–angiotensin system, protein kinase C-β inhibitors, glitazones, somatostatin analogues, lipid-lowering drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs.

There is experimental and clinical data suggesting beneficial effect from several classes of drugs on diabetic retinopathy, and results from large clinical trials are awaited within the next 3–4 years.

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