Approximately 26 million people in the U.S. have diabetes.1 People with diabetes are at an increased risk for developing eye problems. One reason is because diabetes and other complications can cause damage to the blood vessels of the retina (diabetic retinopathy).
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a serious eye condition that affects people with diabetes (type 1 or type 2). "Macular" refers to the macula, which is the central portion of the retina and the part of the eye responsible for sharp central vision.2 Edema means swelling of tissues from fluid.
DME results when the damaged blood vessels leak fluid and cause swelling, which blurs vision. If
retinopathy worsens, the eye may begin to form new, abnormal blood vessels over the retina,
which can break easily and bleed, causing severe vision loss and even blindness.2,3,4
DME can occur at any stage of diabetic retinopathy, although it is more likely to occur
as the disease progresses.2