Eylea: A leading treatment for diabetes-related retinopathy and macular edema

It's not easy to think about the potential complications of type 1 diabetes (t1d), but being aware of conditions such as macular edema is vital to work toward both prevention and treatment.

In addition to diabetic retinopathy, macular edema is one of the most frequently diagnosed complications of t1d. Both conditions can lead to blindness.

Accordingly, research is being done to aid in the prevention and treatment of these complications. One such modern treatment for diabetes-related eye disease is the Food and Drug Administration-approved prescription eye injection Eylea. Here's what to know.

Preventative care for diabetes-related eye issues

To lessen the chance of developing diabetes complications, it's important to work toward maintaining a majority of in-range blood sugar. That said, managing tight blood sugar control isn't always easy, and there are still a number of unknowns around why some folks develop complications while others don't.

In addition to managing your diabetes on a daily basis, meet with specialists who can provide regular screenings and assess your risk over time. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), people diagnosed with t1d at age 30 or younger should be screened for diabetic eye disease by their fifth year of living with diabetes — and continue on an annual basis. The ADA also recommends that people diagnosed with t1d at a later age receive a dilated retinal exam at diagnosis.

When your screenings show the possibility of diabetic retinopathy or macular edema (or you experience symptoms and seek care), your ophthalmologist can evaluate which treatment options may be appropriate for you, which may include the prescription medicine Eylea.

How does Eylea work?

After examining and washing your eye, your eye doctor will administer Eylea as an injection.

When injected into the eye, Eylea blocks vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is a protein that can cause abnormal blood vessel growth, often leading to fluid leakage. Making an effort to block VEGF reduces the chance of fluid leaking into the macula.

While no cure for these eye conditions exists at this time, the anti-VEGF treatment that Eylea provides has been clinically shown to maintain or improve vision for people with diabetic macular edema. When used at an earlier stage of diabetic eye disease, Eylea can aid in reducing the risk of its progression.

Everyone responds differently to treatment, so discuss with your doctor to manage expectations around how this could impact your unique situation.

Discussing treatment with your doctor

In addition to managing your t1d, scheduling preventative care is a top priority in the quest to stave off complications. On top of regular screening for macular edema with a dilated eye exam, maintain an open line of communication about any symptoms or changes in vision that may occur between appointments.

Early screening and treatment are powerful tools in the fight against diabetes-related eye disease, and your doctor is your partner in coming up with a plan. If you have concerns about the status of your eye health, reach out to your doctor to schedule an exam.

Staying proactive about complications

Facing the risk and potential diagnosis of t1d complications can have physical and emotional impacts. It may be tempting to pretend you're not at risk, but it can come at a cost. Proactively seeking knowledge and preventative care can help to either prevent complications from occurring or diagnose at an early stage to allow for the best available interventions.

Curious to learn more about how diabetes may affect your eyes? Learn more about diabetes and eye complications on Health Insights.