Beyond VEGF: Understanding Blood-Retinal Barrier Biology and Emerging Mechanisms in DME and Neovascular AMD

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy transformed the management of diabetic macular edema (DME) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), but it has not solved either disease. Roughly 40% to 60% of patients with DME and 40% to 50% with nAMD never achieve or cannot sustain an optimal response, leaving them with persistent fluid, progressive vision loss, and an injection burden few can maintain. The explanation is coming into focus: breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) drives the vascular leakage behind vision loss in both diseases, and VEGF-A suppression alone does not directly address it. The therapeutic response has been swift. Dual VEGF-A/Ang-2 inhibition has already validated multi-pathway targeting in the clinic, and agents aimed at Wnt/ -catenin and Tie2/angiopoietin signaling are now in pivotal trials. This CME Outfitters symposium at AAO 2026 will ground learners in the biology of BRB breakdown, weigh the mechanistic rationale behind therapies designed to restore barrier stability, and share practical strategies for recognizing and managing the anti-VEGF incomplete responder essential context for retina specialists, ophthalmologists, optometrists, and the teams who care for these patients.

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.

Start Date

October 11, 2026

End Date

December 12, 2026

Target Specialties

Pricing

Free

Reported to ACCME by the provider

Conference / congress
Credit · Up to 1 credit
Commercial Support

When

Oct 11 – Dec 11, 2026

Beyond VEGF: Understanding Blood-Retinal Barrier Biology and Emerging Mechanisms in DME and Neovascular AMD

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