Is Avastin a good treatment for diabetic macular edema?
JAN 28, 2016
Question:
I am diabetic and I have macular edema (swelling of the back layer of the eye). The ophthalmologist prescribed intraocular injections of Avastin. Is it worth it? Will this heal completely or only a little?
Answer:
Intravitreal injections of Avastin or similar drugs have been proven to be the best available treatment for diabetic macular edema. A recent study demonstrated that Avastin works as well as other more expensive drugs when the vision is relatively good. However, when the vision is approximately 20/50 or worse, another drug called Eylea may be a better choice. You should discuss your level of vision with your doctor and ask about other drugs.