Diabetic retinopathy (DR), is an often progressive eye condition that affects more than 30% of the total of 285 million people living with diabetes. Untreated, the condition can lead to blindness and is regarded as the primary cause of vision loss in adults.

The condition is largely characterized by abnormal vascular changes in the eye. In simple terms, blood vessels on the retina grow abnormally and the vessels that form are susceptible to leaking blood and obstructing vision. Experts summarize that

“The disease generally starts as non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and often has no warning signs or symptoms. Over time, NPDR often progresses to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), a stage in which abnormal blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina and into the vitreous cavity, potentially causing severe vision loss.”

Retinopathy can sometimes progress to macular edema, which is the accumulation of fluid in the macula (at the center of the retina). According to the National Eye Institute, macular edema “is the most common cause of vision loss in people with diabetic retinopathy”.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a molecule that is a central player in the development of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and in regulating the permeability of the vessels. In the context of retinopathy, inhibiting VEGF offers a solution to mitigate the abnormal vascular growth and leakage.

Several anti-VEGF therapies are available for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. These medications can be injected into the vitreum of the eye for the treatment of later stages of retinopathy and for macular edema. However, Regeneron Pharmaceutics announced in a press release yesterday that their anti-VEGF product EYLEA (aflibercept) has gained FDA approval for all stages of retinopathy treatment.)

Excitingly, a recent 3-arm clinical trial has shown that EYLEA can cut the risk for developing proliferative retinopathy by as much as 88%. This study was the first to demonstrate that inhibiting VEGF can prevent disease progression in patients who have NPDR (but do not have macular edema).

Dr. George D. Yancopoulos (M.D., Ph.D.), the President and CEO at Regeneron had this to say about the exciting news:

“In fact, 80% of patients who received the EYLEA eight-week dosing regimen had significant improvement in their diabetic retinopathy. With today’s FDA approval, EYLEA has once again set a high bar for the treatment of diabetic eye diseases.”

This announcement offers hope to millions of people who are affected by diabetic retinopathy. The approval will enable those with earlier stages of the disease to get treated, and hopefully, prevent the progression of their eye disease.

You can find more information in the press release here.

***

Have you used an anti-VEGF therapy for treating retinopathy or macular edema? Please share your experiences in the comments and share your thoughts about this new approval!

Read more about complications, diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, regeneron pharmaceuticals, retinopathy, treatment, U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).