Diabetic macular edema

Abstract The main diabetic macular edema (DME) treatment options include intravitreal injections of anti‐VEGF agents and intravitreal injections of corticosteroids. In the past, macular laser photocoagulation (LP) was a standard of DME treatment, however, now it is utilized as an additional treatment. Two most important techniques of LP in patients with DME include focal photocoagulation and the grid laser. According to European Society of Retina Specialists (EURETINA) guidelines focal or grid laser should be utilized mainly for non‐center involving DME. In recent years anti‐VEGFs were found superior over typical laser treatment in DME patients. However, new tissue‐sparing technique, subthreshold micropulse laser (SML), avoids protein coagulation and prevents retinal scars, allowing retinal anatomic and functional preservation. It helps to improve or stabilize visual function and decrease macular thickness in treatment of DME. Corticosteroids are often used as an alternative therapy for eyes with insufficient response to anti‐VEGF treatment because they act on different targets than anti‐VEGF agents leading to by inflammation reduction, decrease in the disruption of the blood‐retinal barrier, and retinal angiogenesis. The major steroids used in the treatment of DME include triamcinolone acetonide (TA), dexamethasone (DEX) and fluocinolone acetonide (FA). It is known, however, that steroids frequently increase the intraocular pressure, and are related with the risk of cataract development.