Abstract
Background: Both type 1 and type 2 diabetics can potentially develop nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy. Diabetic macular edema(DME) is associated with the severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR). DME results from chronic damage to the microvascular structures of the retina, and together with HbA1C is a clinically proven risk factor for the progression of retinopathy. The duration of diabetes in patients affects both the prevalence and incidence of macular edema, progression of retinopathy, and other complications of the disease. Patients with type 2 diabetes may exhibit signs of diabetes at a significantly late stage of the disease, most often in the presence of macular edema. It is even possible to report no presence of reduced vision. Screening diabetic patients for early detection of retinal abnormalities is essential to prevent the development of DR/DME and avoid vision loss.
Aims: To find and analyze treatment options for DME for diabetic patients.
Methods: This literature review was based on an extensive search of medical databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, by keywords: ,,diabetic retinopathy’’, ,,visual loss’’, ,,treatment’’. The publication time span included articles that appeared between December 01, 2015 and January 01. 2023. Forty-four original works selected for inclusion in the review . It had two main goals:
(1) To examine systematically, in the context of DR, existing therapies for DME.
(2) To work towards improved therapeutic outcomes for DME among individuals with DR.
Results: Traditional diabetes therapy involves photocoagulation or laser treatment. Recently developed pharmacotherapies use anti-VEGF products or corticosteroids. They are designed to attack specific molecular pathways associated with the development of DR. Gene therapies could be a prospective treatment option for some patients. They target those genes that appear involved in generating vascular abnormalities or trigger an inflammatory response and attempt to neutralize their activity.
Conclusion: This literature review examines the advantages and disadvantages of all treatment options for diabetic retinopathy patients’. It could provide all practitioners with important and in-depth information on the current aspects of diabetic retinopathy treatment.