Diabetic Eye Disease

These disorders account for most of the vision loss in working-age and elderly Americans.

Paul Chous, MA, OD, FAAO, gives key takeaways from his 2023 SECO presentation on diabetes: then and now.

The Biologics License Application for aflibercept 8 mg was supported by positive data from the PULSAR study, investigating wet AMD, and the PHOTON study, investigating DME.

These results emphasize the importance of evaluating the midperipheral and peripheral retina in diabetes in addition to the posterior pole and performing ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography for not only accurate diabetic retinopathy staging, but also for likelihood of significant progression based on disease severity and predominantly peripheral lesions.

As Baby Boomers enter the at-risk age group for vision loss, optometrists must be ready to act.

Case history can give clues to a patient’s risk of developing diabetic eye disease.

Teplizumab may work by binding to certain immune system cells that attack insulin-producing cells and increase the proportion of cells that help moderate the immune response, thus delaying progression to stage 3 type 1 diabetes.

Sherrol A. Reynolds, OD, FAAO, shares highlights from her discussion, "The OD's role in addressing silent killers: diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia," which she presented during this year's American Academy of Optometry annual meeting.

New DME treatments aim to extend time between intravitreal injections.

A recent clinical trial from the DRCR Retina Network examined a stepped regimen of anti-VEGF drugs bevacizumab and aflibercept.

Proper screenings, treatment, management needed for this increasingly prevalent disease.

The patient’s ocular history was significant for severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) in the right eye (OD) and mild NPDR in the left eye (OS), which had been diagnosed 4 years previously at his last eye exam.

The ADA now recommends an individualized approach at diagnosis of diabetes as well as for adults who do not have symptoms to be screened at age 35 years.

Addressing common misconceptions can help avoid misconstrued scientific facts

Timing is key in reducing the risk of developing vision loss or blindness.

ASCENT, RegenXBio’s Phase III clinical trial conducted in partnership with AbbVie, is expected to enroll patients in the United States and Canada, with pivotal trials expected to support BLA submission for RGX-314 in 2024.

Exciting news from OYE Technology!

Diabetic papillitis is relatively rare, found in type 1 and 2 diabetes patients

Remain vigilant to recurrences to apply potential treatments

Practitioners spend more time diagnosing glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy than AMD

Prescribed sleep hygiene may reduce the risk of severe eye disease and vision loss

Consider the impact of diabetes on management of patients with glaucoma

Automated detection of disease helps patients as well as doctors

Practitioners need to educate and stress the importance of additional care

Considerations for eyecare providers to better care for their patients with diabetes

Eye physicals should be full-scope

Faricimab shows promise in treating diabetic macular edema and age-related macular degeneration

• Relatable patient education improves quality of care and prognosis • Although patients with moderate NPDR without DME can be followed every 6 to 9 months, when macular involvement is present patient needs more frequent follow-up • Patients with diabetic retinopathy need to be informed about importance of follow-up care even in the absence of their vision changes

If a complete examination is not possible in diabetic patients, pay close attention to the inferior retina.