Serum erythropoietin concentration and its correlation with stage of diabetic retinopathy

Background Erythropoietin (EPO) is one of the systemic angiogenic factors, and its role in ocular angiogenesis and in diabetic retinopathy (DR) is not yet fully understood. The latest research data reveal a possible correlation of higher erythropoietin concentrations in the blood and in the eye with the development of more advanced stages of DR. The main aim of this work was to examine the possible influence of serum concentrations of erythropoietin on the development of diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.