New research suggests fenofibrates, which act to lower lipids in the blood, may also slow progression of diabetic retinopathy.1

Drawing on global real-world data from the TriNetX database, researchers evaluated progression of retinopathy and development of cataracts, primary open-angle glaucoma, and diabetic macular oedema in patients with diabetes with and without fenofibrate use.

Adults with mild or moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy on fenofibrate had nearly half the odds of progressing to vision-threatening disease, more than 40% lower odds of developing cataracts, and over two-thirds lower odds of developing diabetic macular oedema compared with those not on the drug.

Reference available at mivision.com.au.

A French study has found no link between use of anti-VEGF treatments for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and developmental disabilities.

Although the use of anti-VEGF treatments for ROP tripled from 2015 to 2022, those who received the intravitreal therapy were not more likely to develop a developmental disability than those treated with laser photocoagulation and/or cryotherapy.

“The use of intravitreal anti-VEGF agents to treat ROP in very preterm newborns does not appear to increase the risk of early neurodevelopmental disorders within the first six years of life,” researchers concluded in Ophthalmology Science.1

“While a small excess risk cannot be excluded, these findings might reassure clinicians, especially given the significant increase in the use of anti-VEGF agents to treat ROP in recent years.”

Reference available at mivision.com.au.