Characterize the economic and quality of life burden of diabetic macular edema (DME) in Canadian patients. DME-related healthcare costs were determined over 6 months, and vision-related, and generic (EQ-5D) quality of life was assessed at months 0, 3, and 6. Mean 6-month DME-related costs/patient were as follows: all patients (n = 135), $2,092; normal/mild loss (n = 88), $1,776; moderate loss (n = 13), $1,845; and severe loss/nearly blind (n = 34), $3,007. Conclusions. DME-related costs in the Canadian healthcare system are substantial. Costs increased and vision-related quality of life declined with increasing visual acuity severity