Evaluating and Integrating Innovative Therapies in the Treatment of Macular Edema Secondary to Diabetic Retinopathy and Retinal Vein Occlusion

Agenda
Introduction – 5 minutes
Audio presentation with corresponding slide review – 45 minutes
Posttest and Evaluation – 10 minutes

Activity Description
This activity is a faculty audio presentation with accompanying synchronized slides.

Statement of Educational Need
Vision loss and/or blindness associated with diabetic retinopathy-related macular edema or “any-cause” retinal vein occlusion has a significant detrimental impact on patients’ health-related quality of life and also imparts a significant burden on healthcare economics. The preservation or improvement in the patient’s vision is dependent upon a number of factors such as early recognition, prompt initiation of effective treatments or interventions, and a mitigation of potentially modifiable risk factors (such as better glycemic control, improvements in dyslipidemias, etc.). Clearly, the traditional paradigms of patient management are being challenged by the ongoing procession of clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of novel pharmacologic formulations of mechanistic agents chosen to address the underlying pathogenesis of the ocular disorder. Interpretation and integration of these data into clinical practice are complicated by a number of factors including the ocular disorder being treated; the evaluated agent as well as its comparator; and the dose, frequency, and criteria for treatment/retreatment used in each of these trials.

To this end, this activity is designed to reacquaint the learner with the current, and ever-increasing, pandemic of diabetes and its associated complications such as diabetic retinopathy and macular edema as well as provide a current profile of the prevalence of retinal vein occlusion and disorders that may increase its risk.

Purpose of Program
This fully certified CME/CE activity is intended to increase awareness of the prevalence of diabetes-related ocular disorders, specifically macular edema, as well as that of retinal vein occlusion. The activity will also serve to reacquaint the learner with the underlying pathology of these disorders and the importance of their early recognition and treatment. Newer agents for use in these disorders are emerging and this activity will summarize the most up-to-date efficacy and safety literature regarding these agents as well as how to integrate these newer therapies into traditional practice strategies.

Target Audience
The educational design of this activity addresses the needs of retinal specialists, retinal fellows, ophthalmologists, ophthalmology residents, nurses, and other healthcare providers who are involved in the care of patients with, or at risk for, Retinal Neovascular Diseases.

Learning Objectives
After completing the activity the participants should be better able to:

• Describe the prevalence rates, pathologies, and comorbidities associated with diabetic retinopathy-associated macular edema and retinal vein occlusion.
   
• Summarize management strategies that reduce comorbidity and optimize vision preservation and outcomes in patients with established diabetic macular edema or retinal vein occlusion.
   
• Evaluate the findings of the latest studies of current therapeutic/pharmacologic management strategies, such as the anti-VEGF agents.
   
• Modify current management/treatment paradigms that integrate newer technologies and pharmacologic agents into patient care plans that optimize vision outcomes.

Conflict of Interest Policy / Disclosure Statement
Global Education Group (Global) requires instructors, planners, managers and other individuals and their spouse/life partner who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest they may have as related to the content of this activity. All identified conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by Global for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies mentioned in the materials or used as the basis for content, and appropriateness of patient care recommendations.

The faculty reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity:

Name of Faculty or Presenter	Reported Financial Relationship
Szilárd Kiss, MD	Consulting Fees: Alimera, Allergan, EyeTech, Optos, Regeneron Grant/Research Support: Genentech, Regeneron Honoraria: Allergan, Optos Speaker’s Bureau: Allergan, Optos

The planners and managers reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity:

Name of Planner or Manager	Reported Financial Relationship
Jackie Dawson, MSN	Nothing to disclose
Amanda Glazar, PhD	Nothing to disclose
William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS	Nothing to disclose
Rick Rodes	Nothing to disclose

Accreditation Statements
Physician Continuing Medical Education
Accreditation Statement: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Global Education Group (Global) and Medical Dialogues Group. Global is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement: Global Education Group designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurse Continuing Education
CNA/ANCC
This educational activity for 1.0 contact hour is provided by Global Education Group.

Global Education Group is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Colorado Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Statement of Commercial Support
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Genentech.

Disclaimer Statement
Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of patient conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. Global Education Group (Global) and Medical Dialogues Group do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.

The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization associated with this activity. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Contact Information for Questions about the Activity
For information about the accreditation of this program, please contact Global at 303-395-1782 or inquire@globaleducationgroup.com.

Hardware / Software Requirements
Windows: Internet Explorer 6, Internet Explorer 7, Firefox 1x and later, Safari 3, Google Chrome, Opera 9.5
Macintosh: Firefox 1.x and later, Safari 3
Linux: Firefox 1.x

Instructions for Receiving Credit
In order to receive credit for this activity, participants must study the educational content presented in this activity, complete the posttest, and complete an evaluation. Learners with a passing score of 80% or more will be issued a certificate of credit.

Joint Sponsorship Statement
This activity is jointly sponsored by Global Education Group and Medical Dialogues Group.