Diabetic Macular Edema
DME is a swelling (accumulation of fluid) of the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, called the macula, and it affects some people with diabetes.1
Today, 37 million people worldwide suffer from DME, making it a leading cause of preventable blindness in working-age adults.2-4 By the year 2045, 53 million people worldwide are expected to have this progressive condition that can lead to significant vision loss and blindness, if left untreated.2, 3, 5
DME is a complication of diabetic retinopathy (a disease that damages blood vessels in the retina of the eye) and is related to having consistently high blood sugar levels.1 DME develops when blood vessels in the retina swell and leak, leading to a fluid build-up (edema).6
DME affects the area of the retina responsible for sharp vision used in activities of daily living, such as reading, recognizing faces, and driving.5
Normal Vision
Effects of DME
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Symptoms Include1, 7, 8
DME can occur in people with either form of diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2).6 Left untreated, DME can result in poor vision or even blindness.5
What are the current treatment options for DME?
The current available therapies for DME are anti-VEGF injections and corticosteroid implants. Anti-VEGFs are medications injected intravitreally into the eye to block a protein which may cause abnormal growth of blood vessels and harmful leakage.6, 9 The maintenance of treatment can be burdensome for patients and caregivers given that it requires invasive eye injections and frequent visits to the retina specialist.10 Corticosteroid implant is a type of anti-inflammatory medication implanted inside the eye to treat inflammation of the blood vessels.6, 11
Laser surgery is another treatment option. This type of eye surgery involves laser treatment to the vascular leakage in the retina that occurs with DME.
The information provided here is not inclusive of all treatment options, and should not replace medical advice from a physician about treating DME.
OCS-01 is an investigational product and has not been approved by the FDA. Safety and efficacy of OCS-01 for diabetic macular edema have not been established.
References
1. National Eye Institute. Diabetic Retinopathy. Accessed August 5, 2024. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/diabetic-retinopathy. 2. International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas. Accessed August 5, 2024. https://diabetesatlas.org/. 3. Yau JWY, et al. Diabetes Care. 2012;35(3):556-564. 4. Udaondo P, et al. Ophthalmol Ther. 2022;11(2):489-502. 5. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetic Eye Disease. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/diabetic-eye-disease. 6. Cebeci Z, Kir N. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2015;8:555-566. 7. Musat O, et al. Rom J Ophthalmol. 2015;59(3):133-136. 8. Weber ML. Fed Pract. 2015;32(Suppl 11):3S-7S. 9. National Eye Institute. Injections to Treat Eye Conditions. Accessed August 5, 2024. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/diabetic-retinopathy/injections-treat-eye-conditions. 10. Watane A, et al. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2023;64:4196. 11. Tababat-Khani P, et al. Acta Ophthalmol. 2016;94(3):240-245. 12. Study of the Efficacy and Safety of OCS-01 Eye Drops in Subjects With Diabetic Macular Edema (DIAMOND-2). NCT06172257. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06172257