Intravitreal triamcinolone for diffuse diabetic macular oedema

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone (IVTA) for the treatment of diffuse diabetic macular oedema (DME) refractory to conventional argon macular laser therapy. Methods: A prospective, consecutive, and noncomparative case series was undertaken involving 38 eyes of 38 patients with refractory DME. Triamcinolone acetonide (4 mg) in 0.1 ml was injected intravitreally. LogMar visual acuity (VA) and macular thickness measured by ocular coherence tomography (OCT) were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at 1, 3, and 6 months. Results: All patients completed 6 months of follow up. VA (mean±SD) improved from 0.905±0.23 to 0.605±0.28, 0.555±0.29, and 0.730±0.30 at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. Macular thickness baseline (mean±SD) on OCT was 418.7±104.2μm and this decreased to 276.9±72.6μm, 250.6±53.1μm, and 308.8±87.3 m at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. Conclusions: IVTA may be a potential temporary treatment for refractory DME. It is effective in decreasing macular thickness and improving VA but the effect lasts approximately for 6 months in the majority of patients. Further investigations are required to establish the safety of IVTA for the treatment of DME. © 2006 Nature Publishing Group. All rights reserved.