Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in working-age individuals in developed countries. DR is a microcirculatory disease of the retina due to the deleterious metabolic effects of hyperglycemia. Any variations contributing to oxidative stress and biochemical imbalances play an important role in the pathogenesis of DR. In this regard, metal ions, especially iron which can be reversibly oxidized and reduced, are highly pro-oxidant molecules and they can generate powerful reactive oxygen species (ROS). Zinc also plays an important role in the functioning of the retina and it is essential for antioxidant defence mechanisms. As both metals have similar physical and chemical properties, they can compete for the same ligand and displace each other directly as their metabolic pathways are also very closely interlinked and therefore the body has evolved homeostatic mechanisms through which balance is maintained under tight regulation. This project introduced a mathematical model for the chemical kinetics between iron and zinc in the eye and their cross-regulation. Control and disease cases were simulated changing the parameter settings of the model to show qualitatively responses in the kinetics of these metals demonstrating the potential of the model to allow the prediction of accumulation of iron in different disease circumstances as well as the effect of other micronutrients e.g. zinc. Based on this model, in the long term, a way to diagnose prediabetes checking levels of micronutrients in a blood test could potentially be developed.

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