Diabetic retinopathy: What is new in the present decade?

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a microvascular complication of diabetes, is a leading cause of vision loss worldwide, characterized by progressive damage to the retinal vasculature due to nonperfusion, resulting in retinal ischemia, increased vascular permeability, and pathological angiogenesis (neovascularization). Hence it endorses the importance of regular retinal screening and timely intervention in individuals with diabetes. Advances in imaging modalities like optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT-angiography have improved the clinical understanding of the pathophysiology of DR and enabled early detection. Moreover, emerging therapies such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents and sustained-release steroid implants have transformed DR management, offering enhanced visual outcomes and reduced treatment burden. The surgical management of DR has undergone an absolute transformation in the last decade, thereby revolutionizing the functional outcome. The recent advances in treatment modalities, like gene therapy, open new horizons to prevent blinding complications of DR. As the diabetic population grows, staying updated on DR diagnosis, treatment, and prevention is crucial to mitigate vision-threatening complications.