Management of diabetic retinopathy: could lipid-lowering be a worthwhile treatment modality

P.M. Dodson

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Diabetic eye disease confers substantial burden on the patient quality of life. Current therapeutic strategies indicate an unmet clinical need for preventive therapy. Tight control of blood pressure and glycaemia are mandatory components of primary prevention strategies, but are insufficient to eliminate risk in all patients. A body of evidence supports a role for lipid-modifying therapy in reducing the diabetic retinopathy endpoints. Although inconclusive for statin therapy, results from the Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) study show beneficial effects of fenofibrate in reducing the requirement for laser therapy, and particularly in preventing disease progression in patients with pre-existing diabetic retinopathy. However, there is a need for confirmation of these findings in large prospective studies with progression of retinopathy as the primary endpoint, such as the ACCORD-EYE (Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes-EYE) study, and in a clinical trial specifically conducted for diabetic maculopathy. In addition, elucidation of the mechanism(s) of effect of fenofibrate is indicated.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)997-1003
Number of pages7
JournalEye
Volume23
Issue number5
Early online date23 Jan 2009
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2009

Keywords

  • diabetic retinopathy
  • fenofibrate
  • FIELD
  • lipid-lowering
  • macular oedema
  • treatment

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