Diabetic Macular Edema is a common cause of vision loss
in diabetics suffering from the effects of diabetic retinopathy. Today, we are
fortunate to have a number of vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGF)
drugs for injection-such as Lucentis®, Eyelea® and Avastin®-that are helpful to
treat and reverse the effects of diabetic macular edema. Diabetic eye problems
such as diabetic macular edema typically respond well to therapeutic injection
of vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGF) injections. However, it is
important to understand the frequency and duration of treatment may be somewhat
variable to get the best vision results.
Researchers reporting in the British Journal of Ophthalmology shared helpful information about the
importance of the VEGF inhibitor injection frequency in the treatment of
diabetic macular edema. The study
confirmed that patients need to be patient as their ophthalmologists and retina
specialists plan and schedule their examinations, testing and visits as
sometime the best results can only be achieved multiple injections over some
period of time. In general good long term results are achieved by about 4
months of injection treatment, but 20% of patients with persistent Diabetic
Macular Edema at 12 months achieved a dry macula with considerable restoration
of vision with sustained treatment through 24 months suggesting that persistent
Diabetic Macular Edema at 4-12 months should not be used as a stopping
criterion for treatment.
If
you or someone you know is concerned about diabetic eye problems such as diabetic
macular edema or other forms of diabetic retinopathy, they are encouraged to
schedule an eye examination at D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at
800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio
Eye Care or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an
appropriate treatment plan.
D'AmbrosioEye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice with office locations
at 479 Old Union Turnpike,
Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton, Massachusetts
01720, 413 Main Street, Athol, Massachusetts 01331 and 74 Main Street, Gardner,
Massachusetts 01440 that serve the greater Boston and
central Massachusetts area.
