Retinal Biomarkers in Diabetic Retinopathy: From Early Detection to Personalized Treatment

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss globally, with early detection and intervention critical to preventing severe outcomes. This narrative review examines the role of retinal biomarkers—molecular and imaging—in improving early diagnosis, tracking disease progression, and advancing personalized treatment for DR. Key biomarkers, such as inflammatory and metabolic markers, imaging findings from optical coherence tomography and fluorescence angiography and genetic markers, provide insights into disease mechanisms, help predict progression, and monitor responses to treatments, like anti-VEGF and corticosteroids. While challenges in standardization and clinical integration remain, these biomarkers hold promise for a precision medicine approach that could transform DR management through early, individualized care.