Efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone after or concomitant with laser photocoagulation in nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with macular edema.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical effects and outcomes of intravitreal injection of 4 mg of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) after or concomitant with macular laser photocoagulation (MP) for clinically significant macular edema (CSME).


METHODS
Forty-nine eyes of 49 patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and CSME were randomized into three groups. The eyes in the laser group (n=17), group 1, were subjected to MP 3 weeks after IVTA; the eyes in the IVTA group (n=13), group 2, were subjected to MP, concomitant with IVTA; the eyes in the control group (n=19), group 3, underwent only IVTA application. Visual acuity (VA), fundus fluorescein angiography, and photography were performed in each group.


RESULTS
In the first group, the mean VA improved from 0.17-/+0.09 at baseline to 0.28-/+0.15 (p=0.114) and in the second group, deteriorated from 0.19-/+0.08 at baseline to 0.14-/+0.08 at the sixth month (p=0.141), respectively. In Group 3, the mean VA improved from 0.16-/+0.08 at baseline to 0.28-/+0.18 (p=0.118) at the end of the follow-up. When VA was compared between the control and study groups, significant difference was detected at the sixth month (p=0.038).


CONCLUSIONS
MP after IVTA improved VA, rather than MP concomitant with IVTA, and only IVTA application for CSME. MP after IVTA may reduce the recurrence of CSME and needs further investigations in a longer period.
Aydin
Erdinc
E
Department of Ophthalmology, Gaziosmanpasa University Faculty of Medicine, Tokat - Turkey. erdincaydin@yahoo.com
Demir
Helin Deniz
HD
Yardim
Huseyin
H
Erkorkmaz
Unal
U
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014822:Vitreous Body
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide