title: Diabetic retinopathy: current and new treatment options.
abstract: Diabetes mellitus has become a major health concern worldwide and its incidence is projected to increase. Diabetic macular edema (DME) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) are considered the most sight-threatening ocular complications in these patients. Pivotal studies, such as the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) and the Diabetic Retinopathy Study (DRS), have established macular and pan-retinal laser as the gold-standard of treatment for these complications. The recent discovery of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its role in the development of proliferative disease, has led to a movement towards treating PDR and DME with anti-angiogenic medications alone or in conjunction with the gold-standard of care. Due to the severity of the diabetic ocular complications and the rising incidence of diabetes worldwide, it is important for the non-ophthalmologist care provider to be informed of the new treatments available for these conditions in an effort to better guide their patients. In this review, I will discuss the importance of these new methods of treatment as well as the significance of systemic glucose control, vitreous surgery and laser photocoagulation.
authors.affiliation: Av. Francisco de Miranda, Torre Cavendes, Piso 6, Ofic. 6-04, Altamira, Caracas, Venezuela. gpgiuliari@gmail.com
authors.forename: Gian P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Giuliari
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D015415:Biomarkers; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A