This is in line with the proposed mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy, namely that hyperglycemia through various pathways (including accumulation of sorbitol and advanced glycation end-products, oxidative stress, up-regulation of the renin-angiotensisn system and vascular endothelial growth factor) initiates a cascade of events leading to retinal vascular endothelial dysfunction[37]. Here, VEGFA is linked to diabetic retinopathy.