Retinal Disease Digest on DME: Opportunities for Optometrists
This activity is supported by independent medical education grants from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.
Overview
Provider Statement
This continuing education activity is provided by 
Support Statement
This activity is supported by independent medical education grants from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.
Activity Description
The incidence of diabetic eye disease continues to increase worldwide as diabetes remains a growing public health concern. Optometrists are the frontline eye care providers who play an essential role in the early diagnosis, treatment, and management of eye diseases and disorders. It is, therefore, imperative that they remain abreast of the latest advances and best practices for accurate diagnosis, treatment, and management of diabetic eye disease to facilitate early and optimal care. Monitoring and management of these patients also requires a multidisciplinary approach through referral and collaboration with ophthalmologists and retina specialists. In this CE monograph, experts in optometry and retinal diseases evaluate the latest advances in diagnostic, assessment, and monitoring technologies for diabetic macular edema (DME), as well as assess screening, referral processes, and the latest evidence-based treatments for optimal management of patients with DME.
Target Audience
The intended audience for this activity is US-based optometrists and other healthcare professionals involved in the management of patients with retinal diseases.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:
- Use the latest advances in diagnostic, assessment, or monitoring technologies for patients with diabetic macular edema (DME).
- Recognize the latest evidence-based treatments for managing patients with DME.
- Refine screening and referral processes for patients with DME.
Activity Chair
Steven Ferrucci, OD, FAAO
Professor
Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University
Chief of Optometry
Sepulveda VA Ambulatory Care Center
North Hills, CA
Faculty
Carolyn Majcher, OD, FAAO, FORS
Director, Residency Programs
Professor
Oklahoma College of Optometry
Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, OK
Michael A. Singer, MD
Director of Clinical Research
Medical Center Ophthalmology Associates
Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology
University of Texas Health Science Center
San Antonio, TX
Medical Writer
Valerie Zimmerman, PhD
Planner/Reviewer
Ronald A. Codario, MD, EMBA, FACP, FNLA, RPVI, CHCP
Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, Vindico Medical Education is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. This activity will also award credit for optometry (COPE) if the requirements necessary for credit are met.
Credit Designation
Vindico Medical Education designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 COPE credit hours. Optometrists should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
COPE Course Number: 96454-TD
COPE Activity Number: 130141
This enduring material is approved for 1 year from the date of original release, February 28, 2025, to February 27, 2026.
How to Participate in This Activity and Obtain CE Credit
To participate in this CE activity, you must read the objectives, answer the polling and pretest questions, view the content, and complete the posttest and evaluation. Provide only one (1) correct answer for each question. A satisfactory score is defined as answering 70% of the posttest questions correctly. Upon receipt of the completed materials, if a satisfactory score on the posttest is achieved, Vindico Medical Education will issue a COPE Certificate.
Disclosures
Vindico Medical Education adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a continuing education activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others, are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.
The articles in this monograph were composed by medical writer Valerie Zimmerman, PhD, based on the presentations of Drs. Ferrucci, Majcher, and Singer during a virtual expert panel discussion held on December 9, 2024. The content of this monograph has been approved by each of the faculty individually as an accurate representation of their presentations.
Activity Chair and Faculty report the following relevant financial relationship(s)
Steven Ferrucci, OD, FAAO
Consultant: iCare, Science Based Health, Visible Genomics
Speaker Contracted by Ineligible Company: Apellis, Astellas, iCare
Carolyn Majcher, OD, FAAO, FORS
Advisor: Apellis, Astellas, Genentech, LENZ, Notal Vision, Optomed, Regeneron, Tarsus, Topcon, Zeiss
Consultant: Apellis, Astellas, LENZ, Notal Vision, Regeneron, Topcon, Zeiss
Speaker Contracted by Ineligible Company: Apellis, Astellas, Optomed, Regeneron, Zeiss
Independent Research Contractor: Apellis, Astellas, Genentech, LENZ, Notal Vision, Optomed, Regeneron, Tarsus, Topcon, Zeiss
Michael A. Singer, MD
Consultant: Adverum, Aerie, Alimera, Allergan, Bausch + Lomb, Biogen, EyePoint, Genentech, IVERIC bio, Kodiak, Ocular Therapeutix, Regeneron, Santen, Stealth, Unity
Speaker Contracted by Ineligible Company: Allergan, Apellis, Bausch + Lomb, Coherus, EyePoint, Genentech, IVERIC bio, Regeneron
Independent Research Contractor: Adverum, Aerie, Alimera, Allergan, Apellis, Ashvattha, Clearside, DRCR, Eyepoint, Genentech, Icon, Ionis, IVERIC bio, Janssen, Kalvista, Kodiak, Novartis, OcuTerra, Ocular Therapeutix, Opthea, Optos, Oyster Point, RecensMedical, Regeneron, Rezolute, Ribomic, Santen, Senju, Sydnexis, Valo
*Individual Stocks (privately held): Aviceda, Inflammasome, Nanoscope, Olives BioTherapeutics
Data Safety Monitoring Board: Beacon, Stealth
*Will not discuss business lines or products of the companies.
Medical Writer reports the following relevant financial relationship(s)
Valerie Zimmerman, PhD
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Planner/Reviewer reports the following relevant financial relationship(s)
Ronald A. Codario, MD, EMBA, FACP, FNLA, RPVI, CHCP
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Vindico Medical Education staff report the following relevant financial relationship(s)
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Signed disclosures are on file at Vindico Medical Education, Office of Medical Affairs and Compliance.
Unlabeled and Investigational Usage
The audience is advised that this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled uses of FDA-approved products or to products not approved by the FDA for use in the United States. The faculty members have been made aware of their obligation to disclose such usage. All activity participants will be informed if any speakers/authors intend to discuss either non–FDA-approved or investigational use of products/devices.
Copyright Statement
Created and published by Vindico Medical Education, 6900 Grove Road, Building 100, Thorofare, NJ 08086-9447. Telephone: 856-994-9400; Fax: 856-384-6680. Printed in the USA. Copyright © 2025 Vindico Medical Education. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The material presented at or in any Vindico Medical Education continuing education activity does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Vindico Medical Education. Neither Vindico Medical Education nor the faculty endorse or recommend any techniques, commercial products, or manufacturers. The faculty/authors may discuss the use of materials and/or products that have not yet been approved by the FDA. All readers and continuing education participants should verify all information before treating patients or utilizing any product.
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