New research suggests that the vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor-relizumab may be the greatest therapeutic advance in proliferative diabetic retinopathy in 40 years. In the Protocol S study, injection of ranibizumab drug for 2 years reduced the incidence of diabetic macular edema and reduced peripheral visual field loss compared to total retinal photocoagulation, the standard of care for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The study came from 305 patients with 394 eyes at 55 centers. “Total retinal photocoagulation has been an effective treatment for proliferative diabetic retinopathy for the past 40 years,” said the study’s chair, Professor Jeffrey Gross from the Carolina Retina Center in Columbia, S.C. However, good vision was maintained with ranibizumab for at least 2 years. Ranibizumab may become the treatment of choice for some patients.