Older treatments, including steroids, should be considered if needed while anti-VEGF therapy is gaining popularity for the treatment of diabetic macular edema.
“Anti-VEGF agents really only affect a very small aspect of the biochemical abnormalities in diabetic macular edema,” Peter K. Kaiser, MD, said at Retina 2012. “And steroids really attack many more areas in the cascade of diabetic macular edema.”
From Osnsupersite.com:
Dr. Kaiser said a closer look at previous studies, such as the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network protocol B that concluded steroids were not as valuable as lasers in diabetic macular edema treatment, may be warranted.
“The use of steroids really plummeted after the study,” he said.
But examining the data shows the reduction in visual acuity among patients who received steroids was largely because of the development of cataracts, he said.
Depending on the patient - phakic vs. pseudophakic, for example - steroids can provide a strong option, Dr. Kaiser said.
Anti-VEGF and lasers remain the key treatment tools, he said, but “I think there is still a role for steroids in this disease.”
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
