{"id":3675430,"date":"2025-10-09T16:19:06","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T20:19:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vip2-msd.com\/merckcom-migrated\/?post_type=story&p=3675430"},"modified":"2025-10-09T16:59:42","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T20:59:42","slug":"understanding-dme-wetamd","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/vip2-msd.com\/merckcom-migrated\/stories\/understanding-dme-wetamd\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding vision-threatening retinal conditions: Diabetic macular edema and wet AMD"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n \n Innovation<\/small>\n <\/a>\n \n \n

\n Understanding vision-threatening retinal conditions: Diabetic macular edema and wet AMD\n <\/h1>\n

Our scientists are researching new ways to address vision-threatening retinal conditions like diabetic macular edema and wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD)<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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October 9, 2025<\/p>\n

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Retinal conditions such as diabetic macular edema (DME) and neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) threaten the eyesight of millions worldwide. While anti-VEGF treatments have helped to improve outcomes, a significant number of patients – up to 40% – fail to respond or only partially respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“A diagnosis of diabetic macular edema or wet age-related macular degeneration can profoundly affect a patient\u2019s quality of life,” said Dr. David Guyer, founder, chief executive officer and president at EyeBio, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA, “The fear of progressive vision loss looms large, and beyond the physical challenges, many patients carry the emotional burden of worrying about their declining eyesight.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To find alternatives for these patients, our scientists are investigating novel therapeutic targets for certain retinal conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our research exploring the Wnt signaling pathway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our eyes have a blood-retinal barrier that protects our delicate retinal tissue. When the barrier is compromised, fluid can leak into the macula \u2013 the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision \u2013 and other areas of the eye, causing swelling that can lead to vision loss for people living with DME and wet AMD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research suggests that changes in the Wnt (pronounced \u201cwint”) pathway are associated with the breakdown of this blood-retinal barrier in DME and wet AMD. Merck and EyeBio scientists are exploring the Wnt pathway as a potential approach to help improve the integrity of the blood-retinal barrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe hear from retinal physicians about the demand for novel approaches to treat serious retinal conditions like diabetic macular edema and wet AMD.”<\/h3>\n\n\n\n