What is Diabetes-Related Macular Edema?
Diabetes-related macular edema (DME) is an eye that people with diabetes are at higher risk of developing. High blood glucose (blood sugar) damages the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) in your retina. This causes fluid to leak into your macula. Your macula is in the central part of the retina and gives you sharp, detailed vision. Over time, the buildup of leaked fluid causes the macula to swell, leading to vision problems.
Symptoms
In the early stages, DME may not cause any noticeable symptoms. But common symptoms include:
- Blurry or fuzzy central vision
- Dark or empty spots in your central vision
- Difficulty reading or seeing faces clearly
- Wavy lines when looking at straight objects
- Colors look dull or faded
If you notice any of these changes, it’s important to contact your eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) right away.
Protecting Your Vision
One of the most effective ways to prevent or slow DME is by taking good care of your overall health. That includes managing your:
- Blood glucose: Reaching your A1C target range helps lower the risk of problems with the blood vessels in your eyes.
- Blood pressure and cholesterol: Reaching your blood pressure and cholesterol targets also lowers your risk of vision loss.
- Lifestyle: Following an eating plan, and getting physical activity, and not using nicotine (like smoking or vaping) all help keep your eyes healthy.
In addition to managing your health, getting a yearly eye exam will help you take steps to protect your eyes. Even if you don’t have symptoms, a yearly dilated and comprehensive eye exam or retinal photography can catch early signs of DME.
Treatment Options for DME
If you develop DME, talk to your eye doctor about which treatment option is best for you. This will be based on how severe the swelling is and how your eye responds to care. Treatment options include:
- Anti-VEGF injections (most common treatment)
These medications are injected directly into the eye to block abnormal blood vessel growth and reduce fluid leakage. This treatment can improve your vision or keep it from getting worse. The injections are done at your eye doctor’s office. - Steroid injections or implants
Steroids are another option, especially if anti-VEGF drugs don’t work well. They reduce inflammation and swelling but may raise the risk of cataracts or increased eye pressure. - Laser therapy
A focused laser is used to seal off leaking blood vessels. While not as common today, it can help slow or stop vision loss in some people. - Eye surgery (vitrectomy)
Used in more advanced cases where the eye’s gel (vitreous) is pulling on the retina or there's significant bleeding. This surgery relieves pressure and helps prevent further damage.
What You Can Do Now—and When to Act
Taking care of your diabetes is the best way to protect your eyes from DME and other complications. Here's how you can stay ahead of vision loss:
- Keep your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol in your target ranges
- Quit smoking if you haven’t already
- Get a dilated and comprehensive eye exam every year, or more often if recommended
- Call your eye doctor right away if you notice changes to your vision. This could include:
- Sudden blurriness or dark spots
- Wavy lines in your vision
- Colors look faded or washed out
DME is a serious condition, but it's also treatable, especially when caught early. By taking steps to manage diabetes and getting regular eye checkups and timely treatment for problems, you’ll be taking steps to protect your vision.
