A Taiwanese study has demonstrated some antiplatelet/anticoagulant (APAC) therapies, including aspirin, have a protective effect against diabetic retinopathy (DR) progression in diabetic patients. 

Led by Dr Chi-Juei Jeng, Taipei Medical University-Shuang-Ho, the study analysed the health-insurance data of 73,964 type-2 diabetic patients. Those using aspirin or dipyridamole showed a 22% reduced risk of developing non-proliferative DR during the period of study. Authors noted that clopidogrel (Plavix), ticlopidine (Ticlid), and warfarin (Coumadin) also showed enhanced DR protection when used in combination with aspirin.