Two diabetic drugs shown to worsen diabetic eye disease.

Two popular drugs used to treat diabetes raise the risk of developing diabetic macular edema. Diabetic macular edema causes the retina to thicken and swell and can result in blindness. The two drugs, Actos and Avandia, raise the risk of developing the condition by 3 to 6 times compared to those who do not take the drugs. The most common cause of blindness among working-age Americans is diabetic eye disease. Diabetic patients can prevent diabetic eye disease by keeping their blood sugar under control. Those who are at a high risk of developing diabetic macular edema should avoid using Actos and Avandia. In addition to raising the risk of developing diabetic macular edema, Actos and Avandia also increase the likelihood of fluid in the lungs and swelling from fluid in the legs.* Elise Ervin Staff Writer