Review on Early Neurodegenerative Changes in Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes which is the 5th primary cause of blindness globally and leading cause of blindness in the developed countries in adults at working age. This is a metabolic disorder that produces various dysfunctions in the body through Oxidative stress induced by chronic hyperglycemia. It has a direct outcome on metabolism within the neural retina, foremost to an increase in apoptosis, which in turn causes breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier. The clinical hallmark of DR includes increased vascular permeability, leading to edema and endothelial cell proliferation. Even though, there is emerging evidence to suggest that retinal neurodegeneration is an early event in the pathogenesis of DR, which participates in the development of microvascular abnormalities. Therefore, this review underlying mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration and the identification of the mediators between neurodegeneration and Diabetic retinopathy will be essential for the development of new therapeutic strategies.