Treatment Goals in Retinal Vascular Diseases

In “Treatment Goals in Retinal Vascular Diseases,” our panel explores evolving treatment goals and management strategies for patients with AMD, diabetic macular edema (DME), diabetic retinopathy (DR), and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). The panelists discuss how preserving and improving vision remains the primary objective across retinal vascular diseases while also recognizing the importance of maintaining patients’ quality of life and ability to perform daily activities.

Throughout the discussion, the expert faculty examine how treatment approaches may differ between disease states, particularly regarding tolerance for residual retinal fluid and management of inflammatory components associated with DME and RVO. The panel highlights how retina specialists have gradually become more accepting of stable subretinal fluid in certain patients with AMD, especially when attempting to extend treatment intervals while preserving visual outcomes. In addition, the expert faculty discuss the growing role of advanced imaging modalities, including OCT and OCT angiography, in helping guide treatment decisions and assess disease stability.

The panel also explores how the emergence of extended durability therapies and next-generation anti-VEGF agents is reshaping expectations for long-term disease control. Panelists discuss the evolving balance between achieving a dry retina, extending dosing intervals, and minimizing treatment burden for patients. The conversation further highlights how patient preferences and lifestyle considerations increasingly influence treatment planning, as many patients prioritize maintaining optimal vision even if more frequent injections are required.

Our next episode, “Durability and Unmet Needs in Retinal Vascular Diseases,” features the panelists discussing how durability, treatment burden, and long-term disease control continue to shape retinal vascular disease management. The expert faculty highlight unmet needs in current anti-VEGF therapies, including under-treatment, fibrosis, retinal atrophy, and the need for more durable treatment strategies to preserve vision over time.