Proliferative retinopathy, as defined by a formation of new vessels,
appears after 10 years and affects about 40% after 20 years.
As the disease progresses, Proliferative processes begin to predominate,
and there may be a significant limitation of mobility, deformity and subluxation of the joints.
The Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes(FIELD) study was more promising, showing that fenofibrate, a lipid-lowering fibrate, reduced the need for laser
treatment of sight-threatening DR(either for macular oedema or Proliferative retinopathy) by 31% over five years.