Review
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World J Diabetes. Jun 15, 2011; 2(6): 98-104
Published online Jun 15, 2011. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v2.i6.98
Managing diabetic macular edema: The leading cause of diabetes blindness
Pedro Romero-Aroca
Pedro Romero-Aroca, Ophthalmology Service, Hospital de Sant Joan Universtari, Institut de Investigació, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Pere Virgili Health (IISPV) Reus 43204, Spain
Author contributions: Romero-Aroca P contributed solely to the work.
Correspondence to: Pedro Romero-Aroca, MD, PhD, Ophthalmology Service, Hospital de Sant Joan Universtari, Institut de Investigació, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Pere Virgili Health (IISPV) Reus 43204, Spain. romeropere@gmail.com
Telephone: +34-977310300 Fax: +34-97732375
Received: February 22, 2011
Revised: May 21, 2011
Accepted: May 28, 2011
Published online: June 15, 2011
Abstract

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the leading cause of blindness in young adults in developed countries, affecting 12% of type 1 and 28% of type 2 diabetic patients. The gold standard DME treatment should be based on a good control of glycemia along with control of lipids and renal function. However, despite the systemic metabolic control values being essential for patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR), it has proven to be insufficient for DME if it appears. With these patients, additional measures are needed in order to avoid the subsequent loss of vision. While laser treatment of DME has been the only valid treatment so far, it has been inadequate in chronic cases. The introduction of new treatments, such as intravitreal corticosteroids or anti-VEGF drugs, have recently shown their safety and efficacy and together with laser photocoagulation are becoming the treatments of choice in the management of DME.

Keywords: Diabetic macular edema; Diabetic retinopathy treatment