Free Ophthalmology CME

Discuss consequences of delayed or inter­rupted treatment for nAMD
Describe efficacy and safety of newer anti-VEGF treatments for nAMD
Jointly provided by Partners for Advancing Clinical Education and DKBmed, LLC

In this online, self-learning activity:

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible central vision loss in older adults and a major driver of vision-related disability in high-income settings. In the United States, an estimated 18.3 million individuals have non–vision-threatening AMD and approximately 1.5 million have vision-threatening disease, creating substantial direct and indirect economic costs for patients, caregivers, and health systems. Late-stage AMD is commonly categorized as geographic atrophy (GA) or neovascular (or “wet”) AMD (nAMD); nAMD is characterized by macular neovascularization with exudation and/or hemorrhage that can rapidly compromise central vision if not controlled. Without timely therapy, vision decline after conversion to late-stage AMD may be clinically meaningful over weeks to months, and missed opportunities for early suppression can translate into avoidable functional loss.

Evaluate the benefits of newly available anti-VEGF treatment options for DR and DME that may improve visual outcomes.
Discuss effects of delayed and interrupted treatment for DME.

This activity is supported by educational grants from Genetech and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Discuss consequences of delayed or inter­rupted treatment for nAMD
Describe efficacy and safety of newer anti-VEGF treatments for nAMD

The integration into practice of sustained delivery devices and therapies that offer longer duration of action have further revolutionized the management of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). However, selecting patients who will optimally benefit from these newer therapies can be challenging. Biomarkers of vascular instability are emerging, which could help guide treatment decisions and provide useful tools for monitoring disease control. This CE activity utilizes Curbside Consults, a dynamic and interactive case-based platform that will highlight these therapeutic strategies for the management of DME that reduce dosing frequency and enhance anatomic outcomes. Experts in the field also review the role of novel biomarkers to guide early clinical decision-making and evaluate treatment options for patients with DME based on the latest clinical evidence.

Despite major therapeutic advances, diabetic macular edema (DME) remains a leading cause of vision loss in adults with diabetes, with delayed diagnosis, treatment burden, and suboptimal responses continuing to challenge real-world outcomes. Although intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy is the established first-line standard of care, many patients experience persistent or refractory DME, and long-term visual gains in routine practice often fall short of results seen in clinical trials due to undertreatment and adherence challenges. Early identification of inadequate treatment response and timely therapy modification are critical, as untreated or insufficiently treated DME can result in significant, irreversible vision loss. Emerging evidence supports the use of newer anti-VEGF agents with extended dosing intervals, as well as the early integration of corticosteroid implants for patients with suboptimal responses. Corticosteroid therapies offer broad anti-inflammatory benefits and have demonstrated meaningful visual and anatomical improvements, particularly when introduced earlier in the disease course. In this CE Snips activity, expert faculty assess how to recognize when patients with DME demonstrate insufficient response to anti-VEGF therapy and when to integrate corticosteroid therapy based on current clinical evidence and real-world data.