Diabetic Retinopathy-
Treatment Modalities
Macugen in Diabetic
Maculopathy
Diabetic maculopathy is a major
cause of reduced vision in diabetic
patients. It involves the central and
most vital part of the eye (called
macula).
At present, treatment for
this disease includes either laser or
injection of steroid (triamcinolone)
into the eye. (
Intra Vitreal injection)
Laser treatment is still
a standard of care for retinopathy
related to diabetes in the eye but for
macular treatment laser therapy is now
being considered less and less since it
tends to burn the macula and reduces
final visual recovery achieved even
though the condition stabilizes.
The steroid injection is
a useful management option which
improves vision but carries a side
effect of raising the pressure of the
eye (glaucoma) which can lead to further
permanent loss of vision if not treated
in time.
Besides, diabetes being a
life-long disease, multiple laser
sittings or injections may be needed
thus increasing the damage and risks.
But now there is another
option available in the form of
Macugen.
This is also an injection to be
given into the eye. It has been approved
by the FDA (USA) for the treatment of
age related macular degeneration (ARMD)
and is undergoing a phase 3 clinical
trial for final approvals for its use in
diabetics.
Practically, it has
already been used for diabetic
maculopathy and has been shown to reduce
the macular edema without damaging the
retina and without causing glaucoma. As
a result, even repeat injections are
safe.
Retina Foundation is also
a part of this worldwide clinical
trial from India
Acknowledgements
Last Reviewed by Dr Sharang Wartikar
16th April,2008
