VEGFA and diabetes mellitus: After 20 years of diabetes, more than 60% of patients will have DR.81 Longer diabetes duration and poorer glycemic and blood pressure control are strongly associated with DR.81 Treatment options are currently limited and mostly focus on laser therapies to remove damaged tissue.82 Additional treatments include anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to limit new vessel growth.83 Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in driving these vasculopathies is opening up new avenues for a more targeted approach to degenerative retinal therapy.