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Antioxidants and Diabetic Retinopathy

  • Microvascular Complications-Retinopathy (JK Sun, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

The biochemical perturbations in diabetes mellitus (DM) create the conditions for the production of free radicals, the consequence of which is increased oxidative stress. Evidence has accrued over the past 2 decades that suggests that oxidative stress is an important pathogenetic factor in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Experimental data show that the use of strategies that ameliorate oxidative stress can prevent and retard the development of DR in the animal model. Clinical observations also suggest that reducing oxidative stress may help to reverse pathological manifestations of DR. The present article constitutes an examination of the role of antioxidants in the management of DR and the current state of clinically relevant knowledge.

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Conflict of Interest

Michael Williams declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Ruth Hogg declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Usha Chakravarthy declares that she has no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, BT12 6BA, Northern Ireland, UK

    Michael Williams

  2. Centre for Vision and Vascular Science, Queen’s University of Belfast, Institute of Clinical Science Block A, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, BT12 6BA, Northern Ireland, UK

    Ruth E. Hogg & Usha Chakravarthy

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  1. Michael Williams
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Correspondence to Usha Chakravarthy.

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Williams, M., Hogg, R.E. & Chakravarthy, U. Antioxidants and Diabetic Retinopathy. Curr Diab Rep 13, 481–487 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-013-0384-x

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