Medical management of diabetic retinopathy.
Although current treatment and prevention of diabetic retinopathy with laser photocoagulation, and tight metabolic and blood pressure control has reduced the risk of visual loss, there is still a need for additional therapies. A literature review on medical therapies for diabetic retinopathy has been performed, and the following classes of drugs are discussed: blockers of the renin-angiotensin system, protein kinase C-beta inhibitors, glitazones, somatostatin analogues, lipid-lowering drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs. There is experimental and clinical data suggesting beneficial effect from several classes of drugs on diabetic retinopathy, and results from large clinical trials are awaited within the next 3-4 years.
Sjølie
A K
AK
Department of Ophthalmology, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark.
Møller
F
F
D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D064546:Protein Kinase C beta; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000627:therapeutic use
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D013004:Somatostatin; C089946:2,4-thiazolidinedione; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D064546:Protein Kinase C beta