Understanding the Types of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)

According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 40 million people in the U.S. alone have diabetes, diagnosed and undiagnosed. While many people are aware of the struggles diabetics face, some conditions are lesser known. One of those conditions is diabetic macular edema (DME). Never heard of it? Although the majority of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics do not experience DME, many are not so fortunate. Are you or someone you know at risk?  In this article, we’ll cover the two primary types of DME, what you should look out for, and what you can do. RELATED: Diabetic Macular Edema: What Are Your Treatment Options? First Off, What is DME? Simply put, diabetic macular edema (DME) is a condition that affects the eyes of individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It affects the “macula,” a portion of your eye that controls central vision. People with DME experience an “edema” or swelling in the eye, which can trigger everything from broken blood vessels to excessive fluid.  Severe cases of DME may even lead to blindness.  There are generally two types of DME.  Diffuse DME  The definitions sometimes overlap, but generally speaking, diffuse DME refers to issues over a larger...