Retina Biomarkers for Treatment Selection in DME

Epidemiology, disease burden, and current treatment options.

By: Kailynn M. Barton, BS, Muhammad Abidi, BS, Rajiv M. Sastry, BA, John B. Miller, MD

Retinal Physician May 1, 2026 Vol 23, Issue May-June 2026 Page(s): 7-9, 25

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Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a leading cause of vision loss, with global prevalence projected to rise from 19 million to 29 million cases by 2045.
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Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy is the current gold standard for treating center-involving DME, with newer agents allowing for extended injection intervals.
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Resistance to anti-VEGF treatment occurs in approximately 40% of DME patients, prompting interest in imaging biomarkers for better treatment stratification.
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Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is essential for assessing retinal microstructure and informs treatment planning through various biomarkers.
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Certain OCT biomarkers, such as disorganization of retinal layers and presence of cystoid macular edema, predict visual acuity improvements with therapy.

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