Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy: Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor.

Background: This study was conducted by considering the vital role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in the development of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) on the one hand and the frequent association between Subclinical Hypothyroidism (SCH) and DR on the other hand.

Objective: The present study was proposed to explore the possible role of VEGF in the relation between SCH and DR; thus, we investigated the relationship between SCH and VEGF levels in patients with DR.

Methods: Two hundred patients with DR were recruited in this study [100 patients with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) and 100 patients with Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR)].