Ophthalmologists play an important role in preventing the complications of late-stage eye disease caused by diabetes. By routinely measuring blood pressure in all adult patients and providing education on healthy lifestyles, eye-care providers can contribute to early diagnosis, improved prognosis, and prevention of the complications of late-stage eye disease caused by diabetes.

Because the prevalence of diabetes is on the rise, primarily because of an increase in obesity, and because hypertension is often a concomitant disorder in obese or diabetic patients, it is imperative that specialists prepare for a further increase in related eye disease.

As the first in a multi-part series, “Emerging technology aids diabetic retinopathy screening” recommends a proactive approach in creating interdisciplinary approaches in partnership with other clinicians to detect, prevent, and treat diabetic retinopathy in its early stages, in an effort to avoid vision loss.

The second article in the series is “Diabetic macular edema responds to ranibizumab in study” which describes pharmacotherapies and new surgical possibilities for diabetic retinopathy and the pathogenic and therapeutic mechanisms in diabetic macular edema.

A forthcoming article will offer epidemiologic insights into diabetic retinopathy, its molecular mechanisms.

For an overview of cardiometabolic disorders plus a complete list of related articles, read “Cardiometabolic Disorders & Weight: Action for Outcomes.”

SERIES CONTENT

Diabetic macular edema responds to ranibizumab in study
Diabetic macular edema (DME) responds to ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech), according to the results of a phase II trial: 12-month analysis of ranibizumab in DME on behalf of the RESOLVE study group, said Pascale Massin, MD, PhD.

Emerging technology aids diabetic retinopathy screening
Ophthalmologists should take a proactive approach toward the screening, management, and early treatment of diabetic retinopathy.