Texas Retina Associates’ Ashkan M. Abbey, MD served as an invited faculty member for the Retina World Congress held May 12-15, 2022, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This global physician meeting featured presentations on the latest scientific advances, research and best practices in retinal health from international thought leaders representing more than 100 different countries.

Dr. Abbey presented the preliminary data for his investigator-initiated clinical trial with Allergan called COED. The study is evaluating the safety, efficacy and durability advantages of using a dexamethasone implant (DEX) in conjunction with aflibercept (AF) compared with AF alone (AF monotherapy) for treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME).

Dr. Abbey’s preliminary analysis included 50 eyes that had completed 24 weeks of the 48-week clinical trial. Findings included the following:

  • DEX administered in conjunction with AF for DME provided similar visual and anatomic benefit at 24-week follow-up compared with AF monotherapy.
  • A significantly greater proportion of patients achieved resolution of DME at or before week 24 with combination therapy.
  • Combination therapy resulted in a significant reduction in treatment burden after 24 weeks of follow-up.

Dr. Abbey cares for patients in our Dallas Main and Rockwall offices, and also serves as our Director of Clinical Research for Dallas. You can learn more about him here.

To learn more about all of the clinical trials currently available at Texas Retina Associates, click here.