Retinal microvascular dysfunction in diabetes is a major component of diabetic retinopathy.
This review highlights recent observations regarding the cellular anatomy that contributes to
the blood–retinal barrier and its breakdown, the alterations of macroglial, neuronal, and
microglial cells in diabetes, and how these changes lead to loss of vision. In addition, the
effects of systemic pathophysiologic influences, including metabolic control, blood pressure,
and fluid volume on the formation of diabetic macular edema are discussed. Finally, an …