Intravitreal steroid versus macular laser for treatment of diabetic macular edema

Diabetic macular edema is a leading cause of vision loss in the United States. Focal/grid laser photocoagulation has been the gold standard for treatment over the past two decades. Intravitreal pharmacologic treatments increasingly have been used over the past 5 years. Various studies have shown the possible benefits of intravitreal corticosteroids and anti-vascular endothelial growth factors in the treatment of diabetic macular edema. However, focal/grid laser photocoagulation continues to be the only proven safe and effective treatment for diabetic macular edema.