Rapid reduction of hard exudates in eyes with diabetic retinopathy after intravitreal triamcinolone: data from a randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of triamcinolone acetonide over 3 months on hard exudates in patients with diabetic macular oedema (DMO).


METHODS
Thirty-two eyes of 16 patients with DMO and hard exudates were included in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Treated eyes received a single-dose (4 mg) intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide. Control eyes received an injection of subconjunctival saline.


RESULTS
The overall area of hard exudates decreased significantly between the baseline and 3-month visits in treated eyes, but not in control eyes. The mean change in level of hard exudates between the two visits was -0.75 arbitrary units (AU) (95% confidence interval [CI] -1.32 to -0.18) in the central plus inner circle (1500 microm) and -0.81 AU (95% CI -1.49 to -0.13) over the whole grid (3000 microm) in treated eyes, compared with 0.31 AU (95% CI -0.19 to 0.82) and 0.31 AU (95% CI -0.11 to 0.74), respectively, in control eyes (p < 0.001). Mean visual acuity improved by five letters in treated but not in control eyes (p = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal triamcinolone reduces hard exudates in the short-term in eyes with DMO.
Larsson
Jörgen
J
Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. jlarsson@kkesh.med.sa
Kifley
Annette
A
Zhu
Meidong
M
Wang
Jie Jin
JJ
Mitchell
Paul
P
Sutter
Florian K P
FK
Gillies
Mark C
MC
D000368:Aged; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects; D014822:Vitreous Body
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide