Life Unscripted: 5 questions with Natalie about life with DME

My name is Natalie. I live in New York City, and I've been living with diabetic macular edema for the past four

years. I would describe DME as omnipresent. It is always there, kind of lurking behind the scenes.

Living with DME can be extremely hard. I was extremely depressed and anxious when I was first diagnosed, because I really

didn't know much about what it meant and what the result would be. I wasn't aware of all of the medical procedures

or any of the opportunities that have happened over the past few years. So when I knew I had an eye problem, I was petrified.

At first, it was all I could think about. But as I started getting treatment and seeing what was possible, I knew that I would have to keep up with my eye appointments and my treatments

and just keep track of my health so I can continue to do the things that I love to do. Get those eyes checked, and make sure you're

getting a full eye exam. [MUSIC PLAYING]