How many patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) do you see in a clinic day? This past week in clinic, I estimate that approximately 30% of the patients I evaluated had diabetic retinopathy, many of whom had diabetic macular edema (DME). As the prevalence of diabetes increases worldwide, vision-threatening complications associated with diabetic retinopathy will continue to be commonly diagnosed and managed in our clinics. As retina specialists, we will be taking care of these diabetic patients for decades, working together to preserve their vision and improve their quality of life.
This issue of Retinal Physician highlights several important aspects of DR. Drs. Omar Saeed and Veeral Sheth highlight the latest anti-VEGF treatment options for DR and DME. They review faricimab and aflibercept 8 mg. In addition, they discuss innovative pipeline agents that currently are in clinical trials. Dr. John Miller and his research team continue on the theme of diabetic eye disease and discuss retina imaging biomarkers for treatment selection in DME. Drs. Cathy Egan and Abraham Olvera-Barrios from the United Kingdom discuss artificial intelligence in DR screening, the importance of validation, and equitable performance across different populations. Drs. Barry Kuppermann and Ashish Sharma write about patient selection, dosing strategies, and practical considerations for incorporating corticosteroids into clinical practice for DME. Finally, Ms. Elizabeth Cifers provides expert information on ICD-10 coding for diabetic eye disease. She reviews the importance of accurate documentation of diagnosis to support compliant coding that reflects the complexity of care being delivered.
In the Clinical Trials Download column, Dr. Yasha Modi shares the exciting clinical trial update on the PRIMA implant for eyes with geographic atrophy due to age-related macular degeneration. Dr. Modi interviews Drs. Nitish Mehta and Frank Brodie to discuss how this innovative, subretinal photovoltaic implant works and what the clinical trial results show. They also discuss tips on the surgical implantation, risks involved with this new procedure, and visual rehabilitation required after surgery.
I appreciate all of our expert contributors who have graciously shared their knowledge. Their hard work and generosity is essential to the success of this journal. Thank you for taking the time to read Retinal Physician—I am grateful for your partnership. RP
