[Microcirculation disturbances at the onset of diabetic retinopathy. New therapeutic procedures? (author's transl)]

The generalized capillary dilatation demonstrable at the early stage of diabetic retinopathy can now, on the basis of recent results in biochemistry, be assessed as an attempt at autoregulation in relative hypoxia of tissue. In patients with diabetic retinopathy, an elevated HbA1c concentration in the blood can be observed. The DPG level, however, is reduced. Both facts cause reduced oxygen transmission from blood to tissue. Rheologic changes such as augmented aggregation of erythrocytes, decreased deformability of erythrocytes and increased viscosity of blood and plasma finally lead to disturbances of microcirculation in the terminal vascular system. From these latest findings concerning the development of microcirculation disorders in diabetic retinopathy possible consequences for new therapeutic procedures can be derived.