Higher level of serum vascular endothelial growth factor in type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy hospitalized for hyperglycemic state

Aims Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a primary mediator of retinal angiogenesis, and higher levels of intraocular VEGF are observed in patients with active proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Meanwhile, whether serum VEGF level is associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR) or not is controversial.