Diabetic retinopathy has been and probably remains one of the four major causes of
blindness in the United States. 1, 2 The risk of retinopathy is directly related to the degree
and duration of hyperglycemia. 3 After diabetes mellitus has been present for 20 years,
almost all persons in whom the onset of diabetes occurred before the age of 30 years have
some evidence of retinopathy, and about half have proliferative retinopathy. Persons who
are 30 years of age or older when diabetes develops are at lower risk for retinopathy, but in …

PURPOSE: To review the evolution of the understanding of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and
methods of treating DR, the present clinically relevant practice for eye disease in patients
with diabetes mellitus, and trends in clinical patient care over the next 3 to 5 years. DESIGN:
Tabular review and presentation of clinical trials contributing to the understanding and
treatment of DR and the author's philosophy of care for the patient with diabetes. RESULTS:
Diabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus that is a significant …