Also known as: diabetic retinal disease, Diabetic retinal disease
Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes-related retinal disease that can range from non-vision-threatening changes to severe forms including proliferative disease and diabetic macular edema. It is a major cause of vision impairment and requires regular retinal screening and timely treatment. Disease burden is substantial at population level.
Recent studies on metformin and age-related macular degeneration report conflicting findings: a JAMA Ophthalmology cohort found no association, while studies in Ophthalmology Retina and BMJ Open Ophthalmology found reduced odds of neovascular and intermediate AMD, respectively. All were observational.
Biotech companies posted Q2 2026 results: REGENXBIO's Duchenne trial met its primary endpoint, Compass Pathways' COMP360 NDA submission is on track for Q4, Puma raised full-year guidance on NERLYNX demand, and Evotec cut its 2026 outlook.
Biocon's Yesafili, an interchangeable aflibercept biosimilar, is now available in the U.S., while Zydus Lifesciences launched Anyra in India. Both aim to treat retinal diseases such as diabetic macular edema. Biocon plans further launches in the UK and other markets, as competition intensifies.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are associated with a significantly lower risk of non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration, while sociodemographic disparities strongly influence diabetic retinopathy screening adherence, according to two separate ophthalmology studies.
New research shows posture-driven retinal vascular changes can predict diabetic retinopathy progression, with smartphone-based imaging detecting early microvascular dysfunction. A five-year study found abnormal arteriolar tortuosity during postural shifts increased progression risk over two-fold.
Biotech stocks Ocugen, Kodiak Sciences, and CytoDyn are experiencing market movements driven by clinical data and regulatory milestones, particularly Biologics License Application (BLA) filings. Ocugen saw a surge in short interest, Kodiak reached a 52-week high on positive trial results, and CytoDyn's stock remains volatile as it advances its monoclonal antibody pipeline.
Two new interchangeable Lucentis biosimilars — Lupin's Ranluspec and Formycon/Bioeq's Nufymco — have received FDA approval, while Xbrane's Lucamzi is under review with an October target date. The Lucentis global market was valued at $630 million in 2024.
The CONDOR randomized clinical trial found brolucizumab better preserved visual acuity than panretinal photocoagulation in proliferative diabetic retinopathy at week 54. Brolucizumab also reduced vision-threatening complications and center-involved diabetic macular edema events, while showing more intraocular inflammation.
A study of 100 adults with diabetes found broad comfort with AI-based diabetic retinopathy screening, but most participants wanted physician oversight. The findings come as AI tools move further into community diabetes care.
Two studies of older adults with type 2 diabetes linked diabetic retinal disease with higher dementia risk. DME and more severe diabetic retinopathy were associated with higher all-cause and vascular dementia risk, but not consistently with Alzheimer’s disease.
| NCT ID | Title | Status | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07779356 |
Patient Comfort Following Intravitreal Injections Using Iheezo Versus Standard Anesthesia |
COMPLETED | PHASE4 |
| NCT07758582 |
Validation of the Artificial Intelligence Subsystem of the DDART Medical Device for the Automated Detection of Lesions Compatible With Diabetic Retinopathy in a Random Sample of Retinal Fundus Photographs |
RECRUITING | |
| NCT07747428 |
Assessment of Retinal Microvascular Changes by OCT Angiography in Diabetic Retinopathy |
RECRUITING | |
| NCT07707856 |
AI Prediction of Treatment Response in DME |
COMPLETED | |
| NCT07705607 |
A Clinical Trial of MK-8748 Compared to Aflibercept in Participants With Diabetic Macular Edema (MK-8748-005) |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE3 |
| NCT07705555 |
A Clinical Trial of MK-8748 Compared to Aflibercept in Participants With Diabetic Macular Edema (MK-8748-004) |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE3 |
| NCT07705321 |
Assessment of Retinal Microcirculation in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus |
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING | |
| NCT07611682 |
Community-Based Eye Screening With Structured Referral Tracking for Preventing Avoidable Blindness in Adults in Rawalpindi, Pakistan |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07602348 |
Assessment of Retinal-Angio Findings In Patients With Diabetes Type II Treated With Novel Antidiabetic Therapies |
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING | |
| NCT07592273 |
Surabgene Lomparvovec Administered in the Suprachoroidal Space in Adult Participants With Diabetic Retinopathy Without Center-Involved Diabetic Macular Edema |
RECRUITING | PHASE2/PHASE3 |
