Provided herein are methods for improving function in a retinal cell associated with a diabetic condition and for treating a diabetic retinopathic condition in a subject. The methods comprise contacting the retinal cell or administering to the subject a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist or R-isomer thereof such as have the chemical structural formula: where R1 is (CH2)n(CH3)2 or where n is 1 to 4, R2 is H or H.HX, where X is a halide and R3 is O(CH2)mCH3 at one or more of C2-C6, where m is 0 to 4. Also provided are BAR agonists having the structural where R1 is the (CH2)n-phenyl-R2 substituent and the hydroxy-benzene moiety is 1,2-benzene diol or 1,3-benzene diol.
