Research Promises Better Diabetic Retinopathy Management.

Researchers at the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) 2024 Annual Meeting discussed new insights into potential risk factors and treatments for diabetic retinopathy. These new approaches address the root causes of the disease beyond just targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), offering hope for more durable and effective drugs. Studies have also explored the impact of certain medications, such as SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 RAs, on vision-threatening retinal complications. Additionally, obstructive sleep apnea has been linked to an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy progression. New treatments on the horizon include combination therapy with sozinibercept, an orally administered endothelial dysfunction blocker called CU06-1004, and the sustained-release axitinib implant, OTX-TKI. These treatments show promise in improving visual acuity and stabilizing retinal complications. [Extracted from the article]