Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Like other macrovascular complications of DM, the development and progression of DR is influenced by a variety of systemic and local factors. It is essential to understand the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration. Systemic risk fators such as hyperglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetic nephropathy should be treated before effective DR management can be implemented. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, we can prevent the development of DR, slow the progression of DR, and improve the safety of perioperative care. Thereby enhancing the level of prevention and control of DM complications, including DR.
Intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs is the main treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME), however, 30% of patients still respond poorly to its treatment. At present, imaging markers that can indicate the prognosis of anti-VEGF drug treatment include ischemic index, deep retinal capillary plexus foveal avascular zone area, number of microaneurysms, blood flow density, disorder of the inner retinal layer, outer membrane and/or the degree of damage to the ellipsoid zone, strong reflex foci, intraretinal cysts, subretinal fluid. Biomarkers include high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, anti-fumarase antibody, intraocular aqueous humor cell adhesion molecule-1, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, etc. Understanding these clinical markers that may predict and evaluate the prognosis of anti-VEGF drug therapy can be beneficial to adjust the treatment plan, and more effectively monitor, treat, and manage DME patients.
Diabetic macular ischemia (DMI) is one of the manifestation of diabetic retinopathy (DR). It could be associated with diabetic macular edema (DME), which may affect the vision of DR patients. FFA is the gold standard for the diagnosis of DMI, but with the advent of OCT angiography, a more convenient and diversified method for the evaluation of DMI has been developed, which makes more and more researchers start to study DMI. Intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF has become the preferred treatment for DME. When treating with DME patients, ophthalmologists usually avoid DMI patients. But if intravitreal anti-VEGF should be the contradiction of DME is still unclear. To provide references to the research, this article summarized the risk factors, assessment methods and influence of DMI. This article also analyzed the existing studies, aiming to offer evidences to a more reasonable and effective treatment decision for DME individual.