The use of anti-VEGF injections for treatment of i.e. diabetic macular edema is a current, ‘hot’ topic. Will the injections replace laser photocoagulation as treatment method?

1. Will anti-VEGF injections replace
laser photocoagulation
in the first line treatment of diabetic macular edema?

2. New clinical studies support the safety and
effectiveness of ranibizumab in DME
treatment, when compared to conventional
laser photocoagulation alone (4).
Image: Courtesy of pandstock001 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

3. However, even physicians preferring
anti-VEGF agents acknowledge that
laser photocoagulation is still needed
Image: Courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

4. Not all patients respond well to anti-VEGF
Image: Courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

5. It has also been stated that patients feel
burdened by repetitive injections (2).
Image: Courtesy of Frame Angel at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

6. Laser Photocoagulation
remains the standard of care
for retinal tears and PDR, and also DME –
especially non-center-involved (1,3)

7. When combination therapy can
be offered...

8. Treatments using subtreshold
pre-settled pattern options for DME
and light burns for PDR

9. which are available on multispot lasers
such as the Valon Multispot Laser, offer a
good alternative for DME treatment (2)

10. (1) Anti-VEGF Therapy for Diabetic Macular Edema –
A roundtable discussion with Franck Fajnkuchen,
MD, and Paolo Lanzetta, MD. January/February
2015 supplement to Retina Today.
(2) Non-destructive Laser for the Retina. John W.
Kitchens, MD. Retina Today, October 2013.
(3) The Evolution of Posterior Segment Laser
Surgery – The gentle art of destruction. Nancy
Holekamp, MD. Cataract & Refractive Surgery
Today Europe, February 2012, 64-67.
(4) The RESTORE Study – Ranibizumab Monotherapy
or Combined with Laser versus Laser
Monotherapy for Diabetic Macular Edema.
Mitchell P. et al. 2011 by the American Academy
of Ophthalmology
Interesting studies and articles for further
reading: