Macular Edema in Diabetes Medication

  • Author: Emmanouil Mavrikakis, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 7, 2012
 

Medication Summary

As with all complications of diabetes, successful management of macular edema requires good control of the diabetes itself. A variety of intravitreal medications are currently available, with others under study. Medical treatment should focus on optimizing glycemic and hypertensive control and lowering lipid levels.

Next

Corticosteroids

Class Summary

Corticosteroids such as triamcinolone have anti-inflammatory effects and can be used for the treatment of diabetic macular edema.

View full drug information

Triamcinolone acetonide (Triesence)

 

Triamcinolone is a synthetic corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory effects. It is indicated for several ophthalmic diseases such as ocular inflammatory conditions and visualization during vitrectomy. Intravitreal triamcinolone is also being used in the treatment of diabetic macular edema.

Previous
Next

Anti-VEGF Agents

Class Summary

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) increases retinal vascular permeability, causes breakdown of the blood-retina barrier, and results in retina edema. VEGF is up-regulated in diabetic retinopathy. Three currently available anti-VEGF agents are pegaptanib sodium, ranibizumab, and bevacizumab.

View full drug information

Ranibizumab (Lucentis)

 

Ranibizumab is a recombinant humanized antibody fragment that is active against all isoforms of VEGF-A. Intravitreal ranibizumab is FDA approved for the treatment of exudative ARMD and retinal vein occlusion.

View full drug information

Bevacizumab (Avastin)

 

Bevacizumab is a full-length recombinant humanized antibody that is active against all isoforms of VEGF-A. It is FDA approved as an adjunctive systemic treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer.

View full drug information

Pegaptanib (Macugen)

 

Pegaptanib sodium is a pegylated aptamer directed against the VEGF-A165 isoform. It was the first FDA-approved ophthalmologic anti-VEGF agent for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) from age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).

Previous
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Emmanouil Mavrikakis, MD, PhD  Consultant Vitreoretinal Surgeon, Ophthalmology Department, Athens Medical Centre, Greece

Emmanouil Mavrikakis, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Society of Retina Specialists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Baseer U Khan, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Toronto, Canada

Baseer U Khan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Canadian Ophthalmological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Wai-Ching Lam, MD, FRCS(C)  Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto

Wai-Ching Lam, MD, FRCS(C) is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Novartis Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Novartis Honoraria Review panel membership; Allergan Honoraria Review panel membership; Alcon Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Steve Charles, MD  Director of Charles Retina Institute; Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee College of Medicine; Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons; Clinical Professor Ophthalmology, Chinese University of Hong Kong

Steve Charles, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists, Club Jules Gonin, Macula Society, and Retina Society

Disclosure: Alcon Laboratories Consulting fee Consulting; OptiMedica Ownership interest Other; Topcon Medical Lasers Consulting fee Consulting

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD  Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study Research Group. Treatment techniques and clinical guidelines for photocoagulation of diabetic macular edema. Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study Report Number 2. Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study Research Group. Ophthalmology. Jul 1987;94(7):761-74. [Medline].

  2. Albert DM, Jakobiec FA. Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co; 2000.

  3. Aiello LP, Avery RL, Arrigg PG, Keyt BA, Jampel HD, Shah ST, et al. Vascular endothelial growth factor in ocular fluid of patients with diabetic retinopathy and other retinal disorders. N Engl J Med. Dec 1 1994;331(22):1480-7. [Medline].

  4. Sohn HJ, Han DH, Kim IT, et al. Changes in aqueous concentrations of various cytokines after intravitreal triamcinolone versus bevacizumab for diabetic macular edema. Am J Ophthalmol. Oct 2011;152(4):686-94. [Medline].

  5. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. National Diabetes Statistics, 2007. Accessed July 8, 2010. Available at http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/DM/PUBS/statistics/#allages.

  6. Otani T, Kishi S, Maruyama Y. Patterns of diabetic macular edema with optical coherence tomography. Am J Ophthalmol. Jun 1999;127(6):688-93. [Medline].

  7. Chew EY, Klein ML, Ferris FL 3rd, Remaley NA, Murphy RP, Chantry K, et al. Association of elevated serum lipid levels with retinal hard exudate in diabetic retinopathy. Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) Report 22. Arch Ophthalmol. Sep 1996;114(9):1079-84. [Medline].

  8. Bonini-Filho MA, Jorge R, Barbosa JC, Calucci D, Cardillo JA, Costa RA. Intravitreal injection versus sub-Tenon's infusion of triamcinolone acetonide for refractory diabetic macular edema: a randomized clinical trial. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. Oct 2005;46(10):3845-9. [Medline].

  9. Jonas JB, Martus P, Degenring RF, Kreissig I, Akkoyun I. Predictive factors for visual acuity after intravitreal triamcinolone treatment for diabetic macular edema. Arch Ophthalmol. Oct 2005;123(10):1338-43. [Medline].

  10. Patelli F, Fasolino G, Radice P, Russo S, Zumbo G, DI Tizio FM, et al. Time course of changes in retinal thickness and visual acuity after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for diffuse diabetic macular edema with and without previous macular laser treatment. Retina. Oct-Nov 2005;25(7):840-5. [Medline].

  11. Avitabile T, Longo A, Reibaldi A. Intravitreal triamcinolone compared with macular laser grid photocoagulation for the treatment of cystoid macular edema. Am J Ophthalmol. Oct 2005;140(4):695-702. [Medline].

  12. Cunningham ET Jr, Adamis AP, Altaweel M, Aiello LP, Bressler NM, D'Amico DJ, et al. A phase II randomized double-masked trial of pegaptanib, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor aptamer, for diabetic macular edema. Ophthalmology. Oct 2005;112(10):1747-57. [Medline].

  13. Massin P, Bandello F, Garweg JG, et al. Safety and efficacy of ranibizumab in diabetic macular edema (RESOLVE Study): a 12-month, randomized, controlled, double-masked, multicenter phase II study. Diabetes Care. Nov 2010;33(11):2399-405. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  14. Nguyen QD, Shah SM, Heier JS, et al. Primary End Point (Six Months) Results of the Ranibizumab for Edema of the mAcula in diabetes (READ-2) study. Ophthalmology. Nov 2009;116(11):2175-81.e1. [Medline].

  15. Lang G, RESTORE study group. Safety and efficacy of ranibizumab as monotherapy or adjunctive to laser photocoagulation in diabetic macular edema: 12-month results of the RESTORE study. Late-breaker presentation at EASDec Meeting. May 22, 2010.

  16. Elman MJ, Aiello LP, Beck RW, et al. Randomized trial evaluating ranibizumab plus prompt or deferred laser or triamcinolone plus prompt laser for diabetic macular edema. Ophthalmology. Jun 2010;117(6):1064-1077.e35. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  17. Elman MJ, Bressler NM, Qin H, et al. Expanded 2-Year Follow-up of Ranibizumab Plus Prompt or Deferred Laser or Triamcinolone Plus Prompt Laser for Diabetic Macular Edema. Ophthalmology. Apr 2011;118(4):609-14. [Medline].

  18. Michaelides M, Kaines A, Hamilton RD, et al. A prospective randomized trial of intravitreal bevacizumab or laser therapy in the management of diabetic macular edema (BOLT study) 12-month data: report 2. Ophthalmology. Jun 2010;117(6):1078-1086.e2. [Medline].

  19. Rajendram R, Fraser-Bell S, Kaines A, Michaelides M, Hamilton RD, Esposti SD, et al. A 2-Year Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of Intravitreal Bevacizumab or Laser Therapy (BOLT) in the Management of Diabetic Macular Edema: 24-Month Data: Report 3. Arch Ophthalmol. Apr 9 2012;[Medline].

  20. Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network. A randomized trial comparing intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide and focal/grid photocoagulation for diabetic macular edema. Ophthalmology. Sep 2008;115(9):1447-9, 1449.e1-10. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  21. Hsu J. Drug delivery methods for posterior segment disease. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. May 2007;18(3):235-9. [Medline].

  22. Lewis H, Abrams GW, Blumenkranz MS, Campo RV. Vitrectomy for diabetic macular traction and edema associated with posterior hyaloidal traction. Ophthalmology. May 1992;99(5):753-9. [Medline].

  23. Tachi N, Ogino N. Vitrectomy for diffuse macular edema in cases of diabetic retinopathy. Am J Ophthalmol. Aug 1996;122(2):258-60. [Medline].

  24. Fong DS, Segal PP, Myers F, Ferris FL, Hubbard LD, Davis MD. Subretinal fibrosis in diabetic macular edema. ETDRS report 23. Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study Research Group. Arch Ophthalmol. Jul 1997;115(7):873-7. [Medline].

  25. Takagi H, Otani A, Kiryu J, Ogura Y. New surgical approach for removing massive foveal hard exudates in diabetic macular edema. Ophthalmology. Feb 1999;106(2):249-56; discussion 256-7. [Medline].

  26. Scott IU, Edwards AR, Beck RW, Bressler NM, Chan CK, Elman MJ, et al. A phase II randomized clinical trial of intravitreal bevacizumab for diabetic macular edema. Ophthalmology. Oct 2007;114(10):1860-7. [Medline]. [Full Text].

 
Previous
Next
 
 
 
 
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2012 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.