Intravitreal Pharmacotherapies for Diabetic Macular Edema

Article Name: Intravitreal Pharmacotherapies for Diabetic Macular Edema: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

What are the takeaway points from this article?

Intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents (including ranibizumab, aflibercept, bevacizumab) and intravitreal corticosteroid implants (including triamcinolone, dexamethasone, fluocinolone acetonide) are both effective in the management of diabetic macular edema (DME) resulting in functional and anatomic improvements. Evidence is lacking on their comparative effectiveness, although corticosteroid implants are associated with higher incidence of cataract progression and increased intraocular pressure. The authors suggest choice of therapy should be individualized for each patient until further evidence is available on the comparative efficacy of these therapies.

Reference:

Ehlers JP, Yeh S, Maguire MG, Smith JR, Mruthyunjaya P, Jain N, Kim LA, Weng CY, Flaxel CJ, Schoenberger SD, Kim SJ. Intravitreal Pharmacotherapies for Diabetic Macular Edema: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Ophthalmology (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.07.009

Date Published: August 23, 2021

Summary by: Desiree Naude