Purpose: To determine whether intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) is effective in resolving edema in eyes with persistent diabetic macular edema (DME) after vitrectomy.
Patients and methods: Sixteen eyes of 16 patients were given 4 mg IVTA after vitrectomy for DME. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and average threshold (AT) of the central retina were determined during the 24 weeks follow-up period. Patients were divided into two groups; early treatment group and late treatment group.
Results: The BCVA was significantly improved at 12 weeks, the CMT was significantly improved at 24 weeks, and the AT was significantly improved at 4 weeks after IVTA (repeated ANOVA, p<0.05). The BCVA was more significantly improved in the early treatment group than in the late treatment group at 4 and 12 weeks (unpaired t test, p<0.05).
Conclusion: Our results indicate that IVTA should be considered as treatment for patients with persistent DME after vitrectomy, especially with early treatment patients.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi (J Jpn Ophthalmol Soc) 120: 429-438, 2016.