Dyslipidemia and Diabetic Retinopathy

Dyslipidemia and Diabetic Retinopathy

The purpose of this study is to determine if the reparative cells of blood vessels called endothelial progenitor cells(EPC) are defective in people with diabetes.

The purpose of this study is to determine if the reparative cells of blood vessels, called endothelial progenitor cells (EPC's) are defective in people with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an eye disease related to diabetes. It can cause blurred vision and possible bleeding in the blood vessels in the back of the eye (retina). Damage to the cells of the blood vessels from DR can cause vision loss or blindness. Even with current treatments, the quality of life for people with DR is much reduced.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Any man or woman
• Greater than 18 years of age
• Diagnosis of diabetes (applies to the Diabetic Arm only) (N=15 Type 1 and N=15 Type
• The subject must be willing and have the ability to cooperate with the protocol. Children will not be eligible because the investigators need to obtain 150 ml of blood and this is in excess of what can be drawn in children.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Female participants must not be pregnant at the time of the blood draw as evident through a dipstick pregnancy test.
• Have retinal abnormalities other than diabetic retinopathy.