What Is Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)?

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) occurs when fluid leaks into the center of the retina. (This part of the eye is called the macula.) The fluid causes swelling and blurs the vision. Over time, the blurring can lead to blindness. DME affects up to 10% of all patients with diabetes.

What Causes Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)?

Diabetes can cause new blood vessels to grow in the eyes. At some point, these tiny vessels begin to enlarge. (This stage is called "diabetic retinopathy.") As time goes on, the new blood vessels often begin to leak into the center part of the retina, or the macula. It begins to swell. The swelling distorts and blurs the vision. This is called DME.

What Are The Symptoms Of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)?

Symptoms of DME include:

• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• Floaters

If you have diabetes and have any of these symptoms, you must see an eye doctor to get a complete eye exam as soon as you can.

What Are The Types Of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)?

Focal DME is caused by tiny changes in blood vessels which cause them to leak. This in turn can lead to vision loss.

Diffuse DME is caused by widening of tiny blood vessels all through the back of the eye.

Who Is At Risk For Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)?

All people with diabetes, both type 1 and 2, are at risk. Women with diabetes are at an increased risk, especially when they are pregnant. But all diabetics should have a complete eye exam once a year. Other risk factors for DME are:

• Tiny blood vessels in the back of the eye that have begun to swell (diabetic retinopathy)
• The length of time a patient has had diabetes
• The type of diabetes a patient has
• High blood pressure
• Low blood protein in body fluids
• High levels of fats in the blood

How Is Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) Diagnosed?

DME is found during a complete eye exam that includes, but is not limited to:

Visual acuity test — This test measures how well you see at a distance.

Dilated eye exam — For this test, your eyes are dilated. A magnifying lens is then used to look at your retina and optic nerve for signs of damage.

Fluorescein angiogram — In this test, a special dye is injected into your arm. Pictures are then taken as the dye passes through your blood vessels into your retina. This lets your eye doctor see any vessels that might be leaking.

How Is Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) Treated?

In many cases of DME, a laser treatment will be used to try to help reverse and stop the swelling. During the treatment, up to several small laser burns are placed on the eye, sealing the tiny blood vessels. But, sometimes surgery is used instead. In this surgery, tiny tools are used to help stop the leaks.

Only your eye doctor can diagnose DME and decide on the right course of treatment for you. If you have any symptoms of DME, please seek the advice of a doctor.