in retinal thickening of central subfield and retinal volume (measured by OCT) as well as number of injections in the first year. Safety outcomes will include injection-related events, ocular drug-related events, and systemic drug-related events.

SUMMARY

Treatment of DME is complex and involves both systemic and ocular therapies. Although focal laser photocoagulation is considered the gold standard for the treatment of macular edema, novel therapies directed at decreasing vascular permeability at the molecular level with anti-VEGF agents have shown beneficial effects in early clinical trials. Results from phase 2 clinical studies should provide further information on the efficacy and safety of VEGF inhibitors in diabetic retinopathy. Inhibitors of VEGF are likely to play a therapeutic role for the treatment of both DME and proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

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