Diabetic retinopathy clinical research network: Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. Review article

Abstract

The diabetic retinopathy clinical research network (DRCR.net), founded by the National Eye Institute, was formed in 2002. Currently it includes over 400 ophthalmologists in 115 clinical centers in 37 states of the United States. Since then, it has conducted several studies on various points of interest about diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. To date, the DRCR.net has published about 80 articles, including clinical trials (named with alphabetic letters), observational studies and various sub analyses derived from the primary studies. The results obtained provide retina specialists with substantial evidence regarding the treatment protocols classically proposed. Also, they evaluate new treatment guidelines and information concerning other important points about the disorders studied. The large amount of information provided by the protocols and the corresponding sub analyses make understanding them a difficult task. In this work, we intend to emphasize and summarize the essential points and conclusions of each of the protocols already published by the DRCR.net, highlighting their importance in clinical practice, which will result in better decisions for the individualized treatment of diabetic patients.