Purpose of review: Because optical coherence tomography (OCT) has developed quite rapidly in recent years, the purpose of this review is to synthesize much of the recent literature on the use of OCT in the diagnosis and management of diabetic macular edema (DME).
Recent findings: OCT has become increasingly utilized in clinical management and in research protocols in the approach to DME. Spectral domain OCT has given clinicians and researchers an even greater pathophysiologic understanding of DME.
Summary: OCT has now added another quantitative dimension in the assessment of DME and could lead to better visual outcomes via earlier detection and more targeted therapeutic approaches. Arguably, OCT is the single most important diagnostic and prognostic tool in the management of DME.