Nutrition for diabetic retinopathy: plummeting the inevitable threat of diabetic vision loss.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is among the leading causes of preventable blindness. Hyperglycemia, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and anemia majorly predispose its pathogenesis. The current treatment modalities of DR include laser photocoagulation therapy, intravitreal corticosteroids, intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents and vitreo-retinal surgery which are costly, highly invasive, unproven for prolonged use and opted in advanced stages of DR.

Apolipoprotein A-I and B and Subjective Global Assessment relationship can reflect lipid defects in diabetic retinopathy.

Objective: Elevated lipid levels increase complications of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Uncontrolled diabetes increases these complications and causes unintentional weight loss, indicating an apparently normal body mass index (BMI). Thus, it is easy to assume that patients with DR and a normal BMI have optimal lipid status.

Interrelationship of elevated serum Advanced Glycation End-product levels and malnutrition (Subjective Global Assessment) scores with the severity of retinopathy in type II diabetes.

Background And Aims: Hyperglycemia in diabetes causes endogenous formation of Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs) which accumulate in various body parts including retina causing diabetic retinopathy. AGEs also originate from exogenous dietary sources contributing to the body's AGE pool. Currently, curing of diabetic retinopathy is mainly focused on medication, surgical or laser interventions and not much emphasis is given on preventing or halting its occurrence or advancement to more severe stages, nutritionally.

Advanced glycation end products and diabetic retinopathy.

Studies have established hyperglycemia as the most important factor in the progress of vascular complications. Formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) correlates with glycemic control. The AGE hypothesis proposes that hyperglycemia contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetic complications including retinopathy.