The pathogenesis of DR could be attributed to the interplay of multiple genes and environmental variants in varying magnitudes. Although some candidate genes have been associated with DR in the western populations, there could be several other genes and non-genetic factors that could influence DR susceptibility. The present study would be undertaken to identify candidates through a whole genome association study on 150 patients with proliferative end stage DR (cases) and 150 controls to be recruited from population based cohort from Urban Chennai. Association studies of candidate gene variations using case-control approach would be performed on 150 patients with proliferative end stage DR (cases) and 150 controls to be recruited from a population-based cohort from rural TamilNadu.