Laser Treatment No Longer the Best Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy

Researchers randomized 691 participants (854 eyes) with diabetic macular edema (DME) involving the central macula to one of four groups: sham injections plus prompt focal/grid laser treatment within one week, ranibizumab (Lucentis) injections plus prompt laser treatment, ranibizumab plus deferred laser treatment after six months or more or traimcinolone and prompt laser. After one year, nearly 50 percent of eyes treated with ranibizumab and prompt or deferred laser treatment showed a substantial visual improvement compared with 28 percent of eyes receiving laser treatment alone or triamcinolone plus laser. In pseudophakic eyes (eyes that had previously undergone cataract surgery), triamcinolone (a steroid) and prompt laser appeared more effective than laser alone, but frequently increased the risk of elevated IOP. Ophthalmology, Article in Press, May 2010. Andrea Schumann Staff Writer