VEGFA and diabetes mellitus: Advanced age is a risk factor in developing AMD and diabetes, but additionally, tissue ascorbate levels generally decline with age.42 For example, the ascorbate level in leukocytes is approximately 50% as high in individuals age 85 and older as in those at age 60.43 These data suggest that low levels of ascorbate in tissue are a comorbidity of diseases like AMD and diabetes, and that supplemental levels will be needed to maintain VEGF expression at healthy levels.