Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the blood vessels of the retina caused by prolonged high blood sugar and is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. It progresses silently through stages, and preventing vision loss depends on early detection and timely treatment.
What's actually going on in research
Anti-VEGF injections remain the gold standard for vision-threatening diabetic macular edema, and longer-acting and more potent versions are reducing injection frequency. Faricimab, which targets both VEGF and Ang-2, allows quarterly dosing in many patients and is being tested for preventing progression to proliferative disease. GLP-1 agonists are being studied for whether their metabolic effects reduce retinopathy progression beyond their blood sugar benefits.
Longer-acting anti-VEGF
Faricimab (targeting VEGF and Ang-2) and port delivery systems reduce injection burden to quarterly or less. Trials are testing them in diabetic macular edema and proliferative retinopathy.
GLP-1 effects on retinopathy
GLP-1 agonists reduce diabetes complications broadly; dedicated trials are measuring whether semaglutide and tirzepatide slow diabetic retinopathy progression independent of blood sugar reduction.
Neuroprotective approaches
Brimonidine implants and other drugs targeting the neurodegeneration that occurs early in diabetic retinopathy — before vascular damage is visible — are in trials to intercept the disease earlier.
What to know before you search
Eligibility depends on retinopathy severity grade, presence of diabetic macular edema, visual acuity, and prior anti-VEGF or laser treatment history.
What types of trials are currently open
- Anti-VEGF trials — Testing new anti-VEGF drugs, dosing intervals, and delivery methods for diabetic macular edema.
- Prevention trials — Evaluating metabolic interventions and laser therapy to prevent progression from non-proliferative to proliferative disease.
- Drug trials — Testing GLP-1 agonists, anti-inflammatory agents, and neuroprotective drugs for retinopathy progression.
- Screening trials — Validating AI-assisted retinal imaging for diabetic retinopathy screening in primary care.
- Surgical trials — Evaluating vitrectomy techniques for advanced proliferative retinopathy and traction retinal detachment.
Recently added Diabetic Retinopathy trials
To Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of N-acetyl Cysteine Administration in Patients With Diabetic Retinopathy
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) emerges as a crucial factor in mitigating oxidative stress and inhibiting vascular endothelial activation in diabetic patients, through its effect on VEGF expression as VEGF is involved in the development of diabetic microvascular complications through the promotion of retinal angiogenesis and increased vascular permeability. It was reported in the literature that NAC administration was safe in several studies. It was shown that the dose of 1200 mg is safe and effective. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to be designed to evaluate the effect of N-acetyl cysteine on diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients.
Receive a one-time gene therapy injection to protect vision from diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a common eye condition caused by diabetes, where high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the back part of the eye (called the retina). Over time, this damage can lead to vision problems and even blindness if not treated. This study will assess surabgene lomparvovec (sura-vec) as a potential one-time gene therapy administered in the suprachoroidal space (SCS) for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and prevention of vision-threatening events (VTEs) in participants with non-proliferative DR (NPDR) without center-involved diabetic macular edema (CI-DME). This study will consist of 3 portions: a Phase 2b portion, a Phase 3 portion, and a bilateral treatment portion. Approximately 576 adult participants will be enrolled in the study across multiple sites in the United States and Puerto Rico. In the Phase 2b and Phase 3 portions, participants will be randomized to different groups to receive sura-vec and prophylactic steroids or sham and artificial tears in their study eye. If assigned to sham, participants will be given an opportunity to cross over and receive treatment with sura-vec. In the bilateral treatment portion, participants will be enrolled to receive sura-vec and prophylactic steroids in both eyes. In all 3 portions, follow-up in the study will continue through 5 years following administration of sura-vec in each eye. There may be higher treatment burden for participants in this trial compared to their standard of care. Participants will attend regular visits during the study at a clinic. The effect of the treatment will be checked by medical assessments, blood tests, checking for side effects and completing questionnaires.
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