Notably, DMO can be present in cases with any degree of diabetic retinopathy (DR), and evidence has shown that anti-VEGF injections reduce DR progression rates and improve DR severity score (DRSS).4, 8 However, despite rigorous and intensive intravitreal anti-VEGF DMO treatment protocols in clinical trials, progression to PDR still occurs in treated eyes, though at lower rates.4 5 8 Moreover, preventive treatment with anti-VEGF in patients with non-PDR (NPDR) and no DMO shows that DMO and/or PDR incidence risk is not eliminated.4, 7. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is diabetic retinopathy.