Medical Crossfire®: The Role of Inflammation in the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema – Expert Insights and Case Considerations

Target Audience
This online educational activity is directed toward ophthalmologists and retinal specialists. Optometrists and other health care professionals involved in the treatment of patients with DME are also invited to participate.

Program Overview
Diabetes mellitus (DM) currently affects 34 million people in the United States. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common ocular complication of DM and is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults. The primary cause of visual loss in patients with diabetic retinopathy is diabetic macular edema (DME). Chronic hyperglycemia causes an upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), increasing vascular permeability and angiogenesis. VEGF upregulation is believed to be one of the principal factors in the development of DME. The incidence of DME dramatically increases with disease duration; rates approximate 30% for a duration of DM of 25 years.

The Medical Crossfire®, one of PER’s signature educational formats, is a video-based program in which a panel of distinguished experts engage in spirited discussions and debates on a particular clinical topic. In this activity, 3 key thought leaders explore the latest data regarding therapeutic options for patients with DME. This lively discussion will help place new developments into clinical context to help you optimize care for your patients with DME.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

Describe the function of inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of diabetic macular edema.
Assess gaps in treatment that impact therapeutic response in patients with diabetic macular edema.
Apply current evidence supporting individualized treatment strategies for patients with diabetic macular edema who fail first-line treatment strategies.