Current research and future strategies for the management of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major ocular complication of diabetes and the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment, particularly among adults of working-age adults. Although the medical and economic burden of DR is significant and its global prevalence is expected to increase, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, a large portion of vision loss caused by DR remains preventable through early detection and timely intervention. This perspective reviewed the latest developments in research and innovation in three areas, first novel biomarkers (including advanced imaging modalities, serum biomarkers, and artificial intelligence technology) to predict the incidence and progression of DR, second, screening and early detection of referable DR and vision-threatening DR (VTDR), and finally, novel therapeutic strategies for VTDR, including diabetic macular oedema (DME), with the goal of reducing diabetic blindness.