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The article presents the views of the journal's Editorial Advisory Board members on important ophthalmology advances and challenges in 2019. Dr. William W. Cubertson cites the femtosecond laser adjustable intraocular lens (IOL) development, and the approval of ReLEx SMILE for myopic astigmatism, while Dr. Pravin U. Dugel notes the brolucizumab treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). However, Dr. Peter J. McDonnell also acknowledges the need for an accommodating IOL.

The article offers a discussion of diabetic eye disease, its imaging modalities and intravitreous treatment, based on ophthalmologist Rishi P. Singh's President's Award Lecture during the 2018 meeting of the American Society of Retinal Specialists (ASRS). Topics mentioned include the results of a study on choroidopathy using optical coherence tomography angiography, the limitations of intensive medical therapy, and the complications of cataract surgery in diabetic patients.

The article examines burnout among physicians in retina practice and how technology can help physicians manage their practice and avoid issues that often lead to burnout. Doctor Michael B. Rivera, director at EMA Ophthalmology provides insight on how changes in retina practice contribute to burnout. Also mentioned are the benefits of technology and automated inventory management in the value-based care environment.

The article presents an interview with Elias Reichel, ophthalmology professor and vice chairman of Tufts University School of Medicine. Among the issues he discussed include the maintenance by laser therapy of its position as a key diabetic macular edema (DME) treatment option amid an increasing reliance anti-VEGF drugs, a case to demonstrate what constitutes subthreshold laser therapy, and micropulse devices that are approved in the U.S.

The article discusses clinicians' need for well-structured primary modeling studies to predict diabetic retinopathy (DR) progression, treatment need, and visual loss as of 2019. It states that investigators searched for models that met their study criteria for DR prediction, and have identified three ones with some applicability for higher-risk patients by way of routine data in patients with sight-threatening retinopathy. Also noted is the potential of one model for update and testing.

The article discusses 2019 research which shows that ultra-widefield (UWF) imaging agrees with Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) 7 standard field imaging for evaluating DR disease severity. Topics covered include the definition of UWF images, and the UWF imaging technology's evaluation for use in telemedicine environments. Also noted is the technology's fast emergence as the standard of care for retinal vascular disorders especially DR.

The article discusses the emerging technology in ophthalmology which can help in the screening, management, and early treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in the U.S. It states that the current available screening techniques and technologies are quite expensive and unavailable to the less-affluent American populations. It adds that scientists and ophthalmologists are developing methods and approaches to increase accessibility to DR treatments.

The article cites key findings from various phase III clinical trials of new drugs that demonstrate potential for treating retinal diseases like diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. It includes an in-depth analysis of the results of the phase III trials, as well as a discussion on the issues' implications for ophthalmology.

Presents physicians' views on pharmacologic advances in the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Use of injectable highly purified ovine hyaluronidase for clearing a vitreous hemorrhage; Induction of a posterior vitreous detachment; Vascular endothelial growth factors.

The article examines the use of ultra-widefield (UWF) imaging to diagnose retinal vascular disease. It references the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) which investigated the application of UWF imaging to identify diabetic retinopathy (DR). The influence of the improved retinal visualization of UWF imaging on follow-up and treatment of DR is discussed, as well as the efficiency of laser surgery in patients with DR.

The article explores the Diabetes 2000 program launched by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) in 1989 to eliminate preventable blindness from diabetic retinopathy. The program is recognized for encouraging collaboration to promote education, early detection and treatment of blindness from diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic patients are advised to have regular eye exams for early detection and for maximizing the chance of preventing blindness.

The article discusses the revised International Council of Ophthalmology's (ICO) Guidelines for Eye Care released in 2018. The reasons for updating the guidelines are mentioned. The changes and new information included in the guidelines are given which include the epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy, treatment of diabetic retinopathy, and treatment for diabetic macular edema.

The article discusses the evolving trends in practice patterns of vitreoretinal surgeons in North America from 2010-2018. Topics include the increase in number of surgical cases reported by vitreoretinal surgery fellows, the management of age-related macular degeneration (MAD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), vitreoretinal interface disease, and retinal detachment, and the use of diagnostic modalities.

The article discusses the results of the 2018 American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) International global trends survey. Topics covered in the survey include medical and surgical retina, the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and the management of patient with high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

The article reports on anti-integrin therapy with ALG-1001 from Allegro Ophthalmics which represents a novel approach to treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). Topics discussed include benefit of ALG-1001 for improving vision and anatomic outcomes in patients who were suboptimal responders to previous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy.

The article discusses a study by Vali et al of Stanford University that investigated the association between dyslipidemia, lipid-lowering drugs and ocular disease associated with diabetes among 269,753 patients. Findings showed that patients who took lipid-lowering medications or 37% are less likely to progress to any diabetic retinopathy (DR) diagnosis. It suggests that further research is needed to conclusively confirm the role of lipid-lowering drugs in the prevention of DR.

The article evaluates the Retina Risk App from healthcare information technology software group Risk Medical Solutions that offers risk profile for diabetic retinopathy.

The article discusses the possible combination of the Tie2 tyrosine kinase receptor with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for certain medical conditions. It states that the tandem may effect better outcomes for patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macula edema (DME) that with VEGF drugs alone, as this leads to improved anatomic function and reduced DR severity scores. Also noted are drug combination studies to improve the condition of diabetic patients.

The article discusses the presentation of Victor Chong at University of Oxford, on the role of laser treatment in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) at the American Academy of Ophthalmology's annual meeting. Chong says that laser has been using in DME treatment for a long time, while micropulse laser for more than 10 years. He references the RESTORE study included 345 patients with visual impairment resulting from DME treated by laser. He also stresses the efficacy of micropluse laser.

The article reports on the delay of the approval of Alimera Sciences Inc.'s investigational fluocinolone acetonide (FA) intravitreal insert (Iluvien) by the U.S. Food Drug Administration (FDA). It states that the drug is developed to treat diabetic macular edema (DME) associated with diabetic retinopathy. It notes that the FDA issue a response letter in response to drug application of Alimera.

The article discusses research led by Doctor Sarah X. Zhang on the role of the transcription factor X-box binding protein (XBP1) in preventing vascular damage in patients with diabetic retinopathy. The study investigated the involvement of XBP1 in endothelial cell survival during diabetes, as well as in the regulation of the ability of mitochondria to remove toxic reactive oxygen species, and in increasing acellular capillary formation.

The article reports on the results of a study conducted by the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network (DRCR.net) in the U.S. regarding the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) with focal/grid photocoagulation and intravitreal triamcinolone (IVTA). The study considers focal/grid photocoagulation as more effective compared to IVTA. It indicates the higher possibility of the development of a cataract in patients who received IVTA treatment.

The article reports on the effectiveness of micropulsed diode laser therapy in treating diabetic retinopathy. A study conducted by Dominic McHugh and fellows with patients suffering from untreated diabetic macular edema as subjects revealed that micropulsed grid macular therapy is capable of treating eye disease. McHugh adds that the study revealed that the approach results in less-marked morphologic effects on the retinal pigmented epithelium with compared with standard pulse exposures.

The article reports that a clinical study of the use of intravitreal injection of off-label bevacizumab to treat proliferative diabetic retinopathy has showed promise in the prevention of neovascularization regression. According to the study of Dr. Robert Avery, the intravitreal injection of bevacizumab may be a valuable adjunct to vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy because there was markedly reduced bleeding.

Presents information on a study conducted by Doctor Maria Grant that found that somatostatin analog octreotide can retard the progression of advanced diabetic retinopathy. Some details of the study; Percentage of patients with disease progression to severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy under octreotide treatment; Grant's view on the acceptance of the drug.

The article discusses the use of steroid implants in the treatment of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Topics covered include the approval of intravitreal injection implants, Ozurdex or dexamethasone from pharmaceutical firm Allergan and fluocinolone acetonide or Iluvien from biopharmaceutical firm Alimera Sciences, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for DME, and the views of Dr. Andrew Moshfeghi on the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents.

Focuses on oral therapy for diabetic retinopathy. Effect on diabetes-associated abnormalities in retinal vascular function; Role played by hyperglycemia in the development of diabetes-associated vascular dysfunction; Changes in the mean circulation time of the retinal blood flow.

Focuses on the study by Alexander Brucker on the use of macular laser in treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Effects on patients who underwent focal and scatter photocoagulation; Effects on patients who underwent a combination of focal and scatter treatment; Relative risk of focal treatment for patients having panretinal photocoagulation.

The article reports the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of the dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex) from Allergan as an option for the treatment of diabetic maculaer edema (DME).

The article focuses on the study conducted by ophthalmologist Dr. Alex C. Tham using laser photocoagulation associated with stable rates of visual acuity (VA) up to 2 years after treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Tham explains that a percentage of patients with diabetes have diabetic retinopathy and between 11% and 17% have sight-threatening retinopathy. Tham concludes that the study would able to guide patients with actual data with regards to visual outcones post-laser photocoagulation.

The article focuses on the study of the significance and usefulness of pegaptanib sodium in treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DPR) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The clinical findings of the therapeutic drug is presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. Pegaptanib is recognized as one of the first anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors approved for PDR treatment.

Focuses on the development of a category of drugs for the treatment of macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.

Examines pharmacologic treatments that are being evaluated for diabetic retinopathy with the goals of slowing progression of retinopathy, decreasing diabetic macular edema (DME) and treating retinal neovascularization. Information on an oral PKC-beta antagonist; Description of an intramuscularly administered sandostatin long-acting release; Steroid implant for DME.

Deals with the application of vitrectomy in treating eyes with diffuse diabetic macular edema. Trends in surgical approaches and practices in vitrectomy; Details of the vitrectomy technique; Clinical efficacy of the technique.

Focuses on a review of future therapies for diabetic retinopathy made by physician Lloyd P. Aiello. Developments that led to the identification of potential targets for future therapies; Finding on the treatment with the oral selective PKC-beta inhibitor LY-333531 in animal studies; Result of the treatment with antioxidant vitamins.

Reports on the plans of Bausch and Lomb to begin the phase IIB and III clinical trial of its Envision TD ophthalmic drug delivery device with fluocinolone for the treatment of diabetic macular endema (DME). Impact of the fast-track status granted by the United States Food and Drug Administration on Envision TD; Results of the phase I clinical trials of Envision TD; Reasons for the use of steroid fluocinolone for treatment of DME.

Focuses on the efficacy of light panretinal photocoagulation (LPRP) in treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Effectiveness of LPRP compared to classic panretinal photocoagulation; Complications of LPRP treatment.

Focuses on a study of researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center on Magainin Pharmaceuticals' product squalamine for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Mechanism of action; Effect on blood-vessel growth.

Offers a look at the Phase II/III studies launched to investigate LY333531, an oral specific inhibitor of PKC-beta as a therapeutic option for the retinal complications of diabetes. Efficacy of the compound; Role of LY333531 to the resolution of existing macular edema; Preclinical studies; Subjects sought.

Reports that octreotide may provide a noninvasive treatment for patients with persistent proliferative diabetic retinopathy after panretinal photocoagulation. Research conducted by B. Luettke and colleagues at from the University of Ulm in Germany; Beneficial effect seen in all octreotide-treated patients; Reduction of the risk of vitreous hemorrhage.

Focuses on the efficacy of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor lisinopril for reducing the risk of progression of diabetic retinopathy in normotensive patients with insulin-dependent diabetes according to Nish Chatuverdi. How EURODIAB Controlled Trial of Lisinopril in Insulin-Dependent Diabetes (EUCLID) was conducted; Results of the test.

Reports on a study, entitled the `Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS),' on the effects of aspirin on patients with diabetic retinopathy. Evaluation of early photocoagulation and aspirin; Results of the study.