Current treatments for retinal diseases, such as laser therapy and anti-VEGF injections for diabetic retinopathy (DR), neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), and diabetic macular oedema (DMO), often come with significant side effects and complications. For instance, pan-retinal photocoagulation in DR can lead to night blindness and constricted visual fields. Additionally, discontinuing anti-VEGF therapy has been observed to rapidly worsen DR. In the treatment of nAMD, while anti-VEGF treatments have proven effective, they have introduced a new challenge, the development of post-treatment geographic atrophy (GA).
Accordingly, the main viable approach to effectively treat retinal diseases is through early diagnosis and targeted therapies administered at stages earlier than currently practiced. A growing body of research indicates that diabetic retinal neurodegeneration (DRN) occurs before the clinical onset of DR or DMO, which are typically diagnosed based on vasculopathy. Similarly, in AMD, functional lesions or compromises occur before the disease reaches clinical stages.
Hence, a systematical collection of such research is important for retinal diseases. Through this collection of articles in our research topic, we aim to bring together novel ideas on pathophysiology, potential diagnostic procedures and management strategies for early-stage retinal diseases. Articles can focus on current diagnostic methods applicable to early-stage diseases, approaches currently under clinical trials, biomarkers targeting early-stage treatments, or imaging technologies. Similarly, articles can also focus on treatment modalities including current therapeutics and treatments under clinical trials, such as gene-based therapies and stem cell therapies, to underscore the significance and potential of such therapeutics.
We invite manuscripts of various types, including original research, mini-reviews, reviews, methods, perspectives, and case reports. Submissions should target pre-clinical or early-stage DR and DMO, early to intermediate AMD, and other retinal diseases. We welcome contributions that highlight current diagnostics, clinical trials, imaging technologies, biomarkers, and innovative therapeutic approaches.
Keywords:
Diabetic retinal neurodegeneration, intermediate AMD, Pathophysiology, pre-clinical diabetic retinopathy, Therapeutics
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Current treatments for retinal diseases, such as laser therapy and anti-VEGF injections for diabetic retinopathy (DR), neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), and diabetic macular oedema (DMO), often come with significant side effects and complications. For instance, pan-retinal photocoagulation in DR can lead to night blindness and constricted visual fields. Additionally, discontinuing anti-VEGF therapy has been observed to rapidly worsen DR. In the treatment of nAMD, while anti-VEGF treatments have proven effective, they have introduced a new challenge, the development of post-treatment geographic atrophy (GA).
Accordingly, the main viable approach to effectively treat retinal diseases is through early diagnosis and targeted therapies administered at stages earlier than currently practiced. A growing body of research indicates that diabetic retinal neurodegeneration (DRN) occurs before the clinical onset of DR or DMO, which are typically diagnosed based on vasculopathy. Similarly, in AMD, functional lesions or compromises occur before the disease reaches clinical stages.
Hence, a systematical collection of such research is important for retinal diseases. Through this collection of articles in our research topic, we aim to bring together novel ideas on pathophysiology, potential diagnostic procedures and management strategies for early-stage retinal diseases. Articles can focus on current diagnostic methods applicable to early-stage diseases, approaches currently under clinical trials, biomarkers targeting early-stage treatments, or imaging technologies. Similarly, articles can also focus on treatment modalities including current therapeutics and treatments under clinical trials, such as gene-based therapies and stem cell therapies, to underscore the significance and potential of such therapeutics.
We invite manuscripts of various types, including original research, mini-reviews, reviews, methods, perspectives, and case reports. Submissions should target pre-clinical or early-stage DR and DMO, early to intermediate AMD, and other retinal diseases. We welcome contributions that highlight current diagnostics, clinical trials, imaging technologies, biomarkers, and innovative therapeutic approaches.
Keywords:
Diabetic retinal neurodegeneration, intermediate AMD, Pathophysiology, pre-clinical diabetic retinopathy, Therapeutics
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.