Disorganization of retinal inner layers as an optical coherence tomography biomarker in diabetic retinopathy: A review.

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision impairment globally. Disorganization of the retinal inner layers (DRIL), detected via optical coherence tomography, has emerged as a potential biomarker of disease severity and visual prognosis. This review explores the significance of DRIL in diabetic retinal diseases and its role in predicting visual outcomes. A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases, and relevant original and review articles published were included. Multiple studies have linked the extent of DRIL to both baseline visual acuity and long-term outcomes regardless of the therapeutic approach. In some cases, structural improvement in DRIL has been observed following corticosteroid treatment, suggesting potential reversibility. The presence of DRIL may aid clinicians in assessing disease severity and anticipating treatment response. With increasing interest in automated DRIL analysis using artificial intelligence tools, its role in clinical decision-making is likely to expand. Further research is needed to refine DRIL detection and explore its role in personalized patient care.