Fumaric acid: a possible new therapy for macular edema?

Causes of macular edema are multifactorial, but inflammation, vascular factors and mechanical traction are of major importance. Therapeutic options of macular edema depend on the underlying cause. Intravitreal administration of inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor leads to inhibition of retinal neovascularization and subsequent edema.

Fumaric acid esters are successfully used in dermatology for years according to their antiangiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects.

For the very first time, we describe a successful therapeutic attempt for macular edema, controlled by optical coherence tomography using fumaric acid esters followed up for 60 months.