Joshua Mali, MD

Blue light sits close to the ultraviolet part of the electromagnetic spectrum. These wavelengths are very short in length and carry a lot more energy in them.

There is no question that the introduction of anti-VEGF agents has dramatically changed the landscape of how surgeons approach retinal diseases. New drugs continue to move through the investigative pipeline with clinical studies of emerging classes of agents beginning to show significant promise.

Standard therapy for the rising number of patients with diabetic macular edema typically consists of anti-VEGF treatments. However, a significant number of patients continue to suffer with persistent DME due to the involvement of pro-inflammatory factors. For these patients, corticosteroids can be a valuable and effective treatment modality.

It is crucial that we employ strategies to better detect intermediate age-related macular degeneration so we can begin treatment sooner and preserve functional vision to, ultimately, help our patients maintain their quality of life.

Much of the emphasis in retinal diseases is on current drug treatment regimens, investigating new agents and evaluating potential drug delivery systems. Equally important, however, is maintaining a focus on risk reduction and early detection, especially when it comes to age-related macular degeneration.

Recently, I have predicted that telemedicine is poised to become more routinely used in our management of age-related macular degeneration patients. We know that in order to make a significant difference in a patient’s quality of life, we must detect the progression from dry AMD to the wet form of the disease immediately after conversion.

The most common cause of vision loss in diabetic patients is diabetic macular edema, a disease that continues to grow to epidemic proportions due to the steady rise of diabetes prevalence in the United States. Standard ocular therapy for DME typically involves anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) treatments, given that VEGF plays a key role in the advent of DME. Other pro-inflammatory factors, however, may also be involved. For the significant number of patients who suffer from persistent DME despite anti-VEGF treatments, corticosteroids are becoming a highly beneficial treatment option with viable results. However, there are several steroid options from which to choose when designing our treatment regimens for patients with DME.