Systemic Medications for Diabetic Retinopathy—Protective and Risk Factors
Friday, June 21, at 3:45 p.m. ET
Room W208
Orange County Convention Center
Role of Systemic Pharmacotherapy in the Prevention and Management of Diabetic Macular Edema

Andrew J. Barkmeier, MD
Associate Professor, Vitreoretinal Diseases & Surgery,
Mayo Clinic Dept. of Ophthalmology
What is your presentation about?
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a leading cause of vision loss in the U.S. and beyond. Intravitreal pharmacotherapy with anti-VEGF and corticosteroid medications have significantly improved visual outcomes for patients who develop DME, but systemic management remains critically important for preserving vision for patients at risk for sight-threatening DME. Newer systemic therapies improve cardiovascular and renal outcomes for patients with diabetes, and emerging research will help to better clarify their impact on retinal health. Furthermore, multiple clinical trials are underway evaluating potential oral medications for the prevention and treatment of diabetic macular edema.
How do you hope your presentation will impact diabetes research or care?
In an era of powerful new systemic and ocular pharmacotherapies, dissemination and discussion of emerging clinical research will help optimize care for patients living with diabetes to promote health and preserve vision.
How did you become involved with this area of diabetes research or care?
I have been broadly involved with clinical research related to diabetic retinopathy since the 2000s, including clinical, surgical, and multicenter trial research. I am currently researching the impact of newer glucose-lowering therapies on sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy and am serving as Protocol Chair for the DRCR Retina Network’s Protocol AN Phase 2 trial investigating the impact of oral tonabersat on diabetic macular edema.