Managing diabetic macular edema: Choices in treatment and lifestyle adjustments

Navigating the complicated world of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) demands a mix of medical treatments, therapeutic responses, and lifestyle modifications that deeply impact a patient's quest towards ocular health. Dr. Satish Gooty Agraharam, MD and Retina Surgeon at Anand Eye Institute in Hyderabad, spoke with HT Lifestyle's Zarafshan Shiraz stating that their goal is to unite advanced medical therapies targeting the fundamental causes of DME with personalized lifestyle alterations to boost overall wellness. A crucial part of DME control is educating the patient, focusing on an all-encompassing strategy that notes the complex character of the condition.

Dr. Satish Gooty Agraharam stated that alongside multiple treatments, customized and presented via intra vitreal injections, they also underline the importance of strict diabetes management aligned with DME control. Keeping track of progress through regular check-ups, adjusting treatment strategies where necessary, and quickly resolving emerging problems are fundamental. They strive to arm their patients with essential knowledge for active participation in their healthcare. He compared DME management to conducting a symphony as each component represents a unique treatment aspect. By combining advanced medical treatments, they believe they can create a holistic, custom-made approach to halt DME progression and encourage healthy eye conditions.

Adding her knowledge to the discussion, Dr. Vasumathy Vedantham, MS, DNB, FRCS, FIAMS, Vitreoretinal Surgeon, and Medical Director at Radhatri Nethralaya in Chennai, remarked that DME silently steals sight and affects approximately 7% of diabetic individuals due to fluid accumulation in the retina's central region. Managing DME requires a holistic view beyond the clinical stipulations, acknowledging that treatment selection and lifestyle adaptations are crucial parts of the overall healing process.

She suggested an active lifestyle, proper nutrition, stress management, and regular eye care are not merely tips but stand as integral elements of encouraging patients to take an active role in their health. She explained that DME cases can vary in difficulty, with persistent fluid buildup, age-related issues, and personal responses to treatments sometimes requiring alterations. Through educating patients, they can overcome these challenges and cultivate a proactive mentality.

Dr. Chaitra Jayadev, Head Vitreo Retina at Narayana Nethralaya in Bangalore, concluded that diabetes, a common lifestyle disease, could affect multiple body organs, including eye health. It impacts approximately 77 million people in India, a number expected to double by 2045. DME, a severe diabetes complication, can cause irreversible vision loss if not treated and detected early. The risk of developing DME increases with earlier onset of diabetes. Treatments include injections to reduce swelling and improve vision. Regular follow-ups and treatment, as advised by the retina specialist, contribute significantly to maintaining good vision.