Intravitreal triamcinolone injection for diabetic macular edema: a clinical and fluorescein angiographic case series.

BACKGROUND

A significant number of eyes with diabetic macular edema remain refractory to treatment despite numerous attempts at photocoagulation. Triamcinolone acetonide, a minimally water soluble steroid injected in suspension form, has been reported to be a well-tolerated agent for intravitreal injection, prompting a decrease in diabetic macular edema on optical coherence tomography. We report our experience with this treatment in 19 eyes with persistent diabetic macular edema.

METHODS

We reviewed the charts of 16 patients (19 eyes) from a clinical practice with diabetic macular edema persistent after focal or grid laser photocoagulation. All eyes had received 4 mg of triamcinolone, injected into the vitreous cavity 3.5 mm posterior to the limbus. Fluorescein angiography was performed before and about 2 weeks after the injection. Snellen visual acuity and intraocular pressure (as determined with Goldmann applanation tonometry) were also measured before and after the injection.

RESULTS

Fluorescein angiography showed marked improvement of macular edema in 4 eyes (21.0%), mild improvement in 10 eyes (52.6%) and no change in 5 eyes (26.3%); no patient had worsening of macular edema. Visual acuity improved by at least 1 line in 13 eyes (68.4%), by 2 or more lines in 5 eyes (26.3%), by 3 or more lines in 2 eyes (10.5%) and by 4 lines in 1 eye (5.3%); visual acuity remained unchanged in 5 eyes (26.3%) and deteriorated by 1 line in 1 eye (5.3%). Intraocular pressure elevation of 10 mm Hg or greater occurred in two eyes (10.5%) and was successfully treated with topical administration of 0.15% brimonidine.The triamcinolone was well tolerated, and there were no other ocular complications.

INTERPRETATION

Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone has potential in the treatment of diabetic macular edema and warrants investigation in a randomized prospective clinical trial.