Intravitreal triamcinolone for diabetic macular oedema in Chinese patients: six-month prospective longitudinal pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone (IVTA) in Chinese patients with diabetic clinical significant macular oedema (CSMO).


METHODS
Eighteen eyes of 17 consecutive patients with CSMO were prospectively recruited and treated with a 4 mg injection of IVTA. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) on the ETDRS chart and central macular thickness (CMT) on optical coherence tomography were measured at baseline weeks 1, 2, 3, and months 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Side-effects were monitored.


RESULTS
All patients completed 6 months of follow up. The mean baseline BCVA and CMT were 1.20 +/- 0.31 logMAR units and 552 +/- 179 microm, respectively. Improvements in CMT and BCVA were observed as early as at 1 and 2 weeks, respectively (P < 0.05). Mean BCVA peaked at 2 months (0.97 +/- 0.38 logMAR units) while mean CMT was maximally reduced at 3 months (326 +/- 145 microm). Improvements in BCVA and CMT were less afterwards but still statistically significant at 6 months; the final mean BCVA and CMT were 0.99 +/- 0.36 logMAR units and 427 +/- 145 microm, respectively. A total of 5/18 (28%) eyes developed a transient increase in intraocular pressure. Cataract progression was noted in 2/12 (17%) of the phakic eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal triamcinolone appeared generally safe and effective in Chinese patients with CSMO. Although the improvements in BCVA and CMT were transient, there were residual benefits at 6 months. Due to the transient nature of IVTA, re-treatment seems necessary but the optimal timing and dosage will require further investigations.
Lam
Dennis S C
DS
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Hong Kong. dennislam@cuhk.edu.hk
Chan
Carmen K M
CK
Tang
Emily W H
EW
Li
Kenneth K W
KK
Fan
Dorothy S P
DS
Chan
Wai-Man
WM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology; D012449:Safety; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014822:Vitreous Body
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide