Advancing the Detection and Management of Diabetic Retinopathy with Ultra-widefield Retinal Imaging

T he incidence of diabetes in the US population has increased more than fourfold over the last several decades and a high proportion of these patients manifest diabetic eye disease, including diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Ultra-widefield (UWF) retinal imaging has emerged as a valuable tool in the evolving standard of care for DR, providing essential visualization of ischemia and related pathology across the retina, particularly in the periphery, where these signs may appear earliest but may not be detected by conventional fundus photography. Multimodal UWF imaging has helped correlate changes in the periphery with DR progression, providing important guidance for treatment planning and facilitating improved understanding of the underlying mechanisms of disease. Rapid capture, immediate retrieval and efficient sharing of UWF retinal images support a wide spectrum of care settings—including teleophthalmology programs—and facilitate patient education.