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.
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.