Published online Dec 15, 2013. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v4.i6.231
Revised: January 23, 2013
Accepted: January 29, 2013
Published online: December 15, 2013
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of vision loss of working-age adults, and diabetic macular edema (DME) is the most frequent cause of vision loss related to diabetes. The Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy found the 14-year incidence of DME in type 1 diabetics to be 26%. Similarly the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial reported that 27% of type 1 diabetic patients develop DME within 9 years of onset. The most common type of diabetes, type 2, is strongly associated with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. An even higher incidence of macular edema has been reported in older patients with type 2 diabetes. Within the last 5 years, the use of intravitreal corticosteroids and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents have come into clinical practice for the management of DME and several recent randomized clinical trials have shown improved effectiveness of ranibizumab compared to focal/grid laser. In this theme issue, we discuss the classification of DR and the treatment options currently available for the treatment of DME including corticosteroids, anti-VEGF agents, combined therapy, enzymatic vitrectomy (vitreolysis), and new therapies.