It is time for a moonshot to find ?Cures? for diabetic retinal disease

Diabetic retinal disease (DRD), the most common complication of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness in working age individuals, is now understood to be a form of sensory neuropathy or neurovascular degeneration. Current treatments are focused on advanced vision-threatening disease and a single molecular target, vascular endothelial growth factor, has an approved therapy. We trace the evolution of understanding of DRD patho-genesis, identify new approaches to clinical assessment, trials infrastructure and design, and target identification to accelerate selection and evaluation of new therapeutics that will speed development of potentially curative interventions. Critically, the Restoring Vision Moonshot framework will address gaps in knowledge to be filled to achieve the goal of restoring sight and preventing vision loss in persons with diabetes.

Automated summary

This article discusses the pathogenesis and treatment options for diabetic retinal disease (DRD), as well as new approaches to clinical assessment and trial design. The Restoring Vision Moonshot framework aims to address gaps in knowledge and accelerate the development of potential curative interventions for vision restoration and prevention of vision loss in individuals with diabetes.