A method for anti-inflammatory treatment of diabetic retinopathy can include systemic administration of an A2aAR agonist and providing local electric field stimulation to the retina. The electric field stimulation causes translocation of A2aRs from cytosol to the cell membranes and makes them active and available for binding with adenosine and adenosine agonists. Increased numbers of active A2aRs on cellular membranes leads to several-fold increase in the anti-inflammatory signal transduced into the cells. Amplified adenosine—；A2aR signaling pathway causes significant inhibition of production of proinflammatory cytokines and other cytotoxic activity of microglia thus protecting the retina from destruction by the immune system and preserving eyesight. A treatment apparatus can include a multicoil applicator with coils adapted for positioning near eyes for stimulating retina, a pulse generator functionally coupled to the applicator and a power supply.
