Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a complication of diabetes that can lead to vision loss. In DME, fluid leaks from weakened or damaged blood vessels in the eye and causes buildup in the macula (the central part of the retina which is responsible for clear, sharp vision). This fluid buildup (macular edema), if left untreated, can lead to significant visual damage and make it difficult to see clearly.1,2
All people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are at risk for DME.3 Poor control of blood sugar also increases the risk of developing DME.4
The risk for developing DME is closely associated with the length of time a patient has lived with diabetes.2
Risk is also associated with the severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR), a condition where blood vessels in the eye become weaker and more likely to leak blood.3
DME is a leading cause of vision loss among the working-age population of most developed countries.5
Approximately 750,000 patients have DME in the U.S.6
Blurry or double
vision7
Floaters or dark
spots (scotomas)7
Difficulty seeing
colors7
Straight lines that
are seen as bent
or curved7
Difficulty seeing
objects when
there's a glare or
bright light7
Seeing an object as a
different size when
looking with only one
eye at a time7
To diagnose DME, an eye doctor can perform a comprehensive exam, including:
A visual acuity test
to determine the smallest letters that can be read on a standardized chart.8
A dilated eye exam
where drops are placed in the eyes to widen the pupils in order to check for signs of the disease.8
Imaging tests
such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) or fluorescein angiography (FA) and tonometry, a test that measures pressure inside the eye.8
It's the best way to help detect changes in vision and prevent vision loss due to DR and DME.8
