Alpha-Smooth Muscle Actin Expression and Parafoveal Blood Flow Pathways Are Altered in Preclinical Diabetic Retinopathy.

Alterations in αSMA and vascular inflow pathways in preclinical DR suggest that perfusion abnormalities precede structural vascular changes such as capillary loss. Preclinical DR may be characterized by a "steal" phenomenon where blood flow is preferentially diverted from the SVP to the ICP and DCP.