ABSTRACT
In this chapter we will discuss the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and the natural course of diabetic retinopathy. Evidence for the important role of hyperglycaemia as the major risk factor for the development of this specific diabetic complication is described. Large clinical trials have provided information on how the risk for microvascular complications in diabetic patients could be modified Failures of existing preventive strategies and the need for the development of new treatment modalities are described. The important roles of growth hormone [GH] and other growth factors for the development of proliferative retinopathy and their modification by somatostatin as well as somatostatin analogues are discussed as a novel basis for the intervention strategies in proliferative diabetic retinopathy