Protecting Your Vision: A Crucial Guide for People with Diabetes


Discover why eye health is paramount for individuals living with diabetes in this informative video featuring Dr. Steve Edelman and retina specialist Dr. Nick London. Learn about the risks of diabetic eye diseases, particularly Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), and explore an innovative treatment option that’s changing the game for patients. Whether you have diabetes or know someone who does, this expert discussion offers valuable insights into preserving vision and improving quality of life.
WHY EYE HEALTH MATTERS FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES
For people living with diabetes, maintaining good eye health is crucial. Here's why:
HEAR ABOUT DME FROM DRS EDELMAN & LONDON
The Diabetes-Vision Connection
- Blood Sugar Impact: Elevated blood sugar levels can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, the part of the eye responsible for vision.
- Diabetic Retinopathy occurs when these blood vessels are damaged, potentially leading to vision loss if left untreated.
- Diabetic Macular Edema (DME): A more advanced form of diabetic retinopathy, DME affects about 1 in 15 people with diabetes.
Early Detection is Key
- Annual Dilated Eye Exams: These are essential for catching eye problems early before they cause irreversible damage.
- Silent Progression: Many eye conditions related to diabetes develop without noticeable symptoms initially.
Health Disparities
- Higher Risk Groups: Black, Hispanic, Latinx and Asian individuals are at higher risk of developing diabetes compared to white individuals.
- DME Prevalence: African Americans are three times more likely to develop DME than white Americans.
Prevention & Management
- Blood Sugar Control: Maintaining good blood sugar levels is crucial for preventing eye complications.
- Regular Screenings: Early detection through regular eye exams can significantly improve outcomes.
- Awareness: Understanding the risks and importance of eye care is vital for all individuals with diabetes.
HEAR ABOUT GROUPS OF PEOPLE THAT TEND TO FACE DME
REMEMBER! Your vision is precious.
Don’t wait for symptoms to appear–schedule your annual dilated eye exam today!
UNDERSTANDING DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA (DME)
Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) is a severe complication of diabetes that can lead to vision loss.
Here's What You Need to Know:
⭐️ DME occurs when damaged blood vessels in the retina leak fluid into the macula.
⭐️ The macula, responsible for sharp central vision, swells due to this fluid buildup.
⭐️ Symptoms include blurred vision, which can worsen over time.
⭐️ If left untreated, DME can cause permanent vision loss.
⭐️ Early detection and proper treatment are crucial for preserving vision.


TREATMENT FREQUENCY & PATIENT EXPERIENCE
IMPORTANCE OF A DRY RETINA - Part 1
IMPORTANCE OF A DRY RETINA - Part 2
VABYSMO: A UNIQUE TREATMENT FOR DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA
Vabysmo (faricimab-svoa) is an innovative FDA-approved treatment for Diabetic Macular Edema (DME). Here's what makes it stand out:
Dual-action treatment: Vabysmo is a treatment that targets two different causes of DME:
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A)
- Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2)
These proteins contribute to abnormal blood vessel growth, swelling, and fluid leakage in DME, which lead to reduced vision.
⭐️ Vision Improvement: In clinical trials, patients gained over two lines of vision on an eye chart.
⭐️ Flexible Dosing: Treatment intervals can be extended up to 4 months based on the doctor’s assessment.
⭐️ Fewer Injections: Vision improvements are comparable to other treatments but with fewer injections in the eye.
⭐️ Quick Results: Can dry the damaging fluid in the eye as soon as the first treatment is given.
ADMINISTRATION
Vabysmo is administered through an injection into the eye by a healthcare professional.
- Adults diagnosed with Diabetic Macular Edema
- Patients looking for a treatment with potentially longer intervals between doses
- Individuals who haven’t found success with other DME treatments
Always consult your eye care specialist to determine if Vabysmo is the right treatment option.

Do not receive VABYSMO if you:
- Have an infection in or around your eye.
- Have active swelling around your eye that may include pain and redness.
- Are allergic to VABYSMO or any of the ingredients in VABYSMO.
What is the most important information I should know about VABYSMO?
- Injections like the one for VABYSMO can cause an eye infection (endophthalmitis) or separation of layers of the retina (retinal detachment). Call your healthcare provider right away if you have increasing eye pain, vision loss, sensitivity to light, or redness in the white of the eye.
- VABYSMO may cause a temporary increase in pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure), which occurs within 60 minutes after receiving the eye injection.
- Although not common, VABYSMO patients have had serious, sometimes fatal, problems related to blood clots, such as heart attacks or strokes (thromboembolic events). In clinical studies for wet AMD during the first year, 7 out of 664 patients treated with VABYSMO reported such an event. In clinical studies for DME from baseline to week 100, 64 out of 1,262 patients treated with VABYSMO reported such an event. Severe inflammation of vessels in the retina has happened for patients treated with VABYSMO. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you experience a change in vision.
Before receiving VABYSMO, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Based on how VABYSMO interacts with your body, there may be a potential risk to your unborn baby. You should use birth control before your first injection, during your treatment with VABYSMO, and for 3 months after your last dose of VABYSMO.
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if VABYSMO passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you receive VABYSMO.
- Are taking any medications, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Tell your healthcare provider about every medicine you take.
What should I avoid while receiving VABYSMO?
- Your vision may be impaired after receiving an eye injection or after an eye exam. Do not drive or use machinery until your vision has recovered sufficiently.
What are the most common side effects with VABYSMO?
- The most common side effects with VABYSMO were cataract and blood on the white of the eye (conjunctival hemorrhage).
- These are not all the possible side effects of VABYSMO.
Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555.
Please see the VABYSMO full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information.
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Is it possible to have DME without retinopathy? I have some blurring in my left eye and use Muro128 drops as prescribed by my optometrist. I do
have an annual checkup plus others when needed and dilated annually. I see an optometrist who care deeply but will go to an opthamologist if necessary.
It is possible, but I would see an ophthalmologist who specializes in diabetic eye disease, so you aren’t taking any chances.
My daughter is T1D and have been checking her eyes every year at school of optometry in NY. Does she need to see special ophthalmology for T1D or should continue with Optometrist? She is teenager so is hard sometimes to talk about that. She says everything is ok so I just want to make sure .
If she has had T1D over 5 years, I recommend she get an exam from an ophthalmologist who specializes in the retina.