Our Focus

In a collaborative study across four eye centers in India, including participation from Dr. Jay Sheth, Head of Retina and Clinical Research, at the Shantilal Shanghvi Eye Institute (SSEI), doctors evaluated the real-world effectiveness of a new retinal injection called faricimab for treating diabetic macular edema (DME). This condition causes swelling in the back of the eye due to diabetes and is a major cause of vision loss.

What is it about?

Diabetic macular edema occurs when high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina, leading to fluid build-up and swelling in the macula, the part of the eye responsible for sharp, central vision. This can cause blurry vision, distorted images, and difficulty with tasks like reading or recognizing faces.

Faricimab is a newly approved eye injection that not only targets abnormal blood vessel growth but also works on stabilizing the leaky blood vessels, potentially reducing how often patients need treatment. This study followed 39 eyes (both newly diagnosed and previously treated) over several months, assessing vision improvement, reduction in retinal swelling, and resolution of fluid.

Why it matters

This is the first real-world data from India on faricimab, giving us valuable insights into how it performs outside of clinical trials. The results were encouraging, many patients had clearer vision and reduced swelling, and no major side effects were reported. Faricimab may also reduce how often injections are needed, making treatment easier and more convenient for patients. This study represents an important step forward in improving care for people with diabetic eye disease and adds to India’s growing contribution to global eye research.

Citation

Chakraborty D, Das S, Maiti A, Sinha TK, Das A, Sheth J, Boral SK, Mondal S, Nandi K. Clinical Evaluation of Faricimab in Real-World Diabetic Macular Edema in India- A Multicenter Observational Study. Clin Ophthalmol. 2025 Jan 25;19:269-277. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S502033.