Laser treatment often helps to stabilise exudative DME, but there is currently no recognised treatment for ischaemic DME. Macugen (pegaptanib), a drug that inactivates VEGF, has been tried and found to be of benefit in treating exudative DME. Since VEGF promotes ischaemia, it is possible that Macugen will also prove to be beneficial for ischaemic DME. This has not been tested before.