DME Treatment Options
Once you’ve been diagnosed with DME, there are three possible treatment paths:
Laser Treatments
Laser photocoagulation is based on directing a laser into the back of the eye and cauterizing blood vessels in the retinal tissue.
Laser was one of the first therapies used for DME before the anti-VEGF and corticosteroid drugs were approved to treat DME.
While laser photocoagulation is used less often than in the past, it can still be beneficial and is used mainly in addition to the drug therapies that are injected into the eye.
Anti-VEGF Treatments
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) inhibitor therapy (or anti-VEGF) is a class of drug that treats DME by targeting the protein VEGF.
These drugs are injected into the eye, typically on a monthly or every other month basis, in order to achieve the best results.
Corticosteroid Treatments
Two corticosteroid treatment options have been approved by the FDA to treat DME. An intravitreal steroid called dexamethasone is approved for DME. The ILUVIEN implant delivers a corticosteroid called fluocinolone acetonide (FAc).
Dexamethasone is delivered in an implant that releases corticosteroid over a few months. In clinical trials, the effect of dexamethasone on vision has been shown to peak at approximately 3 months, and it can diminish after that time.
The ILUVIEN microimplant is designed to release a very low dose of FAc to be released consistently and continuously for up to 3 years with a single injection through its unique CONTINUOUS MICRODOSINGTM delivery.