Animal models of diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

Animal models currently available for the study of diabetic retinopathy are distressingly scarce. Nevertheless, the model reported in experimentally diabetic dogs has proved to be reproducible and has afforded a much needed perspective on the pathogenesis of the disease. The results obtained with this model suggest that diabetic retinopathy is initiated by the metabolic consequences of deficient insulin activity and is suppressible by careful treatment of the metabolic disorder with commercial insulin.