EYLEA® (aflibercept) Injection Receives FDA Approval for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. have announced that US FDA has approved EYLEA® (aflibercept) Injection for the treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME). 

The recommended dosage of EYLEA in patients with DME is 2 milligrams (mg) every two months (8 weeks) after five initial monthly injections. Although EYLEA may be dosed as frequently as 2 mg every 4 weeks, additional efficacy was not demonstrated when EYLEA was dosed every 4 weeks compared to every 8 weeks.

EYLEA is the first VEGF inhibitor approved for dosing on a less than monthly basis for the treatment of DME. 

Retinal detachment and its symptoms

What is a retinal detachment (RD)?

Retina detachment signifies, in a general sense, separation of the retina from its normal position. 

What are the types of retinal detachment? 

There are usually three types of retinal detachment, with the fourth being a combination of the first three. 

1. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) - the most common type that occurs due to a retinal or a break in the retina, allowing vitreous fluid to move into the sub retinal space and separate the retina from its normal position. These are usually managed by simple surgical interventions such as a scleral buckle (a band placed on the outside of the eye) or by vitrectomy. 
2. Tractional retinal detachment (TRD) - Usually seen in patients with diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, these usually occur due to forced pulling in the retina due to growth of fibrous tissue inside the eye. They do not have a hole in the retina. Management of these detachments usually requires vitrectomy to release of these 'tractional' forces. 
3. Secondary or serous retinal detachment - usually occurs, as the name suggests, due to some other reason inside or outside the eye. This can be from a benign growth in the eye, to cancer somewhere else in the body. Management includes treatment for the primary condition.  

Risk factors for proliferative diabetic retinopathy in a Latino American Population

This study, conducted as part of the Latino Americans in Los Angeles County study, assessed the personal and demographic risk factors for proliferative diabetic retinopathy in Latino Americans in Los Angeles County.

In this study, 729 subjects from Los Angeles County University of Southern California Medical Center (LAC + USC), Los Angeles, CA were recruited prospectively from the Center and affiliated clinics between June 2008 and June 2011. Complete personal data and results from systemic and ophthalmic examinations were collected for all enrolled subjects. Laboratory tests such as glycosylated hemoglobin, creatinine levels, and cholesterol levels were collected prospectively by drawing blood at the time of each patient's clinic visit. The main outcome measures were age, gender, type of diabetes mellitus (DM I or II), duration of diabetes mellitus, history of hypertension, history of insulin use, height, weight, and body mass index, smoking history, glycosylated hemoglobin, creatinine levels, and cholesterol levels.