title: Photoreceptors in diabetic retinopathy.
abstract: Although photoreceptors account for most of the mass and metabolic activity of the retina, their role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy has been largely overlooked. Recent studies suggest that photoreceptors might play a critical role in the diabetes-induced degeneration of retinal capillaries, and thus can no longer be ignored. The present review summarizes diabetes-induced alterations in photoreceptor structure and function, and provides a rationale for further study of a role of photoreceptors in the pathogenesis of the retinopathy.
authors.affiliation: Case Western Reserve University, Department of Medicine and Center for Diabetes Research Cleveland, Ohio, USA ; Veterans Administration Medical Center Research Service 151 Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University School of Medicine, Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Ophthalmology Detroit, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Berkowitz
keywords: Diabetes; Diabetic retinopathy; Photoreceptors