Erythropoietin Is Expressed in the Human Retina and It Is Highly Elevated in the Vitreous Fluid of Patients With Diabetic Macular Edema

Abstract

As occurs in PDR, intravitreous erythropoietin concentrations are strikingly higher in DME. Erythropoietin is expressed in the human retina, and it is upregulated in diabetic patients even without retinopathy. These findings suggest that other factors apart from ischemia are involved in the overexpression of erythropoietin in diabetic retinopathy.