Diabetic Macular Edema

There may not be any symptoms in the early stages of the disease. If a person has diabetes, he needs to get his eye checked every year so that the doctor can know about any changes in the eye. During this time if signs of DME or retinopathy appear, doctors can stop or cure the condition in time.

If any of the following symptoms are present, inform the doctor immediately -

• blurred vision
• loss of color
• double vision

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As the condition progresses or worsens, high blood sugar can damage the small blood vessels in the eye, increasing the risk of DME. However, high BP and high cholesterol can also damage blood vessels.

DME can also develop in cases where a pregnant woman develops diabetes. In such a situation, the doctor may examine the eyes several times during pregnancy.

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To treat diabetic macular edema, doctors may use medications that need to be injected into the eye to help prevent excess fluid from draining out. These drugs include -

• Avastin (bevacizumab)
• Eylea (aflibercept)
• Iluvien (fluocinolone acetonide)
• Lucentis (ranibizumab)
• Macugen (pegaptanib)

In severe cases, eye surgery called 'laser photocoagulation' may be needed. In this, the doctor can block the leakage problem by using a light laser on the eye. More than one treatment may be needed to control the condition. This is usually not painful, but a slight sting may occur when the laser hits the eye.

Steroid injections may also help in some cases. Apart from this, the help of surgery called a vitrectomy can also be taken.

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If diabetes is not taken seriously and is not treated properly, then this problem can harm the eyes. Most of its victims are people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Blurred vision and double vision etc. have been considered its symptoms, while high BP and cholesterol have been considered its cause. Depending on the condition of the patient, the doctor may prescribe some medicines as a treatment.

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