Evolving strategies in the management of diabetic macular edema: clinical trials and current management

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the leading cause of vision loss in the working-age population in developed countries. Management has traditionally consisted of focal/grid macular laser, according to the guidelines established by the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study. More recent prospective clinical trials examining the effect of intravitreal ranibizumab in the treatment of DME—most notably, READ-2, RESOLVE, RESTORE, RISE/RIDE, and DRCR.net protocol I—have demonstrated improved visual outcomes with pharmacologic targeting of vascular endothelial growth factor. Similar treatment benefits have also been noted in clinical trials evaluating intravitreal bevacizumab and aflibercept (BOLT and DA VINCI, respectively). Intravitreal steroids, particularly in refractory cases, continue to have a limited role in the management of DME. In patients with symptomatic visual loss, the treatment paradigm for DME has shifted toward intravitreal pharmacotherapeutics, principally anti–vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, and this review examines the clinical trials leading to this change.