Examining the Influence of Genes Linked to Comorbidities on the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication in diabetic patients that can cause vision loss and even blindness12 {Healthline}. The condition causes bleeding in the blood vessels of the retina and ultimately interferes with the capture of photons and the transmission of neural signals to the brain3 {National Eye Institute}. Unfortunately, there is no cure available for the approximately 200,000 US citizens currently affected by DR8 {Lucas Research}. Current treatments are merely palliative and rarely restore vision. The best approach to combating DR is prevention. Understanding the root genetic causal links of DR is crucial to developing effective prevention plans. 

Unlike Huntington’s Disease, which has well defined genetic origins, no single gene has been pinpointed as a causative factor for DR, despite having been extensively researched. Since diabetes alone isn’t enough to predict the progression to DR4{NCBI}, one can hypothesize that a combination of diabetes and at least one other comorbidity, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc., may be essential to the development of DR. In this way, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with other comorbidities could increase the likelihood of retinal bleeding in diabetic populations. The identification of these SNPs would offer valuable insight into the development of a genetically-driven prevention plan for diabetic retinopathy.