Summary
- Researchers at the ASRS 2024 Annual Meeting discussed insights into potential risk factors and new treatments to improve outcomes for patients with diabetic retinopathy.
- Emerging approaches to treating diabetic retinopathy are addressing root causes of the disease beyond just vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), leading to more effective drugs.
- A study showed that patients starting therapy with SGLT2 inhibitors had a lower risk of requiring treatment for sight-threatening retinopathy compared to other medication classes.
- Patients with obstructive sleep apnea had a significantly higher risk of progressing to proliferative diabetic retinopathy and developing new-onset diabetic macular edema, requiring ocular interventions.
- New treatments on the horizon include a combination therapy with sozinibercept and an orally administered endothelial dysfunction blocker, CU06-1004, showing promising results in improving diabetic retinopathy outcomes.
Researchers at the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) 2024 Annual Meeting discussed new insights into potential risk factors and treatments for diabetic retinopathy, a condition that affects the eyes of people with diabetes.
During the meeting, experts like ophthalmologist Jennifer Lim, MD, and David Boyer, MD, shared their thoughts on how emerging treatments could address the root causes of diabetic retinopathy beyond just targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
One study presented by Andrew J. Barkmeier, MD, showed that patients who initiated treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors had a lower risk of needing treatment for sight-threatening retinopathy compared to those using other medications. Another study by Ehsan Rahimy, MD, found that patients with obstructive sleep apnea had a higher risk of developing severe diabetic retinopathy.
In terms of new treatments, Nathan C. Steinle, MD, presented a study on the use of sozinibercept to treat retinal vascular diseases. Sozinibercept showed promising results in improving vision for patients with conditions like age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. Another oral agent called CU06-1004 also showed potential benefits in stabilizing damaged blood vessels in the eyes of patients with diabetic macular edema.
Overall, these new findings could lead to more effective management strategies for diabetic retinopathy, offering hope to those living with the condition. More research is needed to fully understand the long-term benefits of these treatments, but the results so far are promising for improved outcomes for patients with diabetic retinopathy.
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Ophthalmology, Diabetes & Endocrinology, Research