DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA

Abstract

Diabetic macular edema (DME) remains the most common cause of vision loss among diabetic patients. New understanding of the underlying pathophysiology has interest in the potential benefits of the specific pharmacologic therapy, such as treatment with intraocular steroids, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and protein kinase C-beta (PKCβ) inhibition. At the last time, laser photocoagulation, according to the guidelines of the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS), continues to be primary standard care treatment in most communities. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is very useful in monitoring macular edema progression and response to treatment.

Fig. 1

CSME

Fig. 2

Photomicrograph of cystoids spaces and subretinal fluid in the retina of a diabetic patient with severe DME

Fig. 3

Color photograph of a diabetic patient with focal macular edema, with circinate hard exudates roughly circumscribing the area of retinal thickening

Fig. 4

Color photograph of a diabetic patient with diffuse macular edema

Fig. 5

OCT scan demonstrates cystoid edema