The effects and safety of intravitreal triamcinolone injections in the treatment of diabetic macular edema.

BACKGROUND Diabetic macular edema (DME) is responsible for three-quarters of vision-loss cases in diabetic eye disease. In most cases, early treatment by laser photocoagulation can only stabilize vision. Glucocorticoids have been used as a local pharmacological treatment in DME when the inflammation seems to have a pathological background. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to establish the effectiveness and safety of intravitreal triamcinolone injections in the treatment of DME. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty mg intravitreal injections of triamcinole acetonide (IVTA) were applied to 110 DME patients after ineffective laserphotocoagulation or as an initial treatment. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) for distant and near vision, central retinal thickness and intraocular pressure (IOP) were analyzed before and after the treatment at intervals of 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. The measurements were continued in cases of repeated IVTA. RESULTS Statistically significant improvements were observed in BCVA in near and distant vision, as well as a decrease in central retinal thickness after all time-intervals following IVTA. BCVA in distant vision was not significantly improved after repeated IVTA. IOP increases were observed 1 week, 1 and 3 months after IVTA, but not at 6 months after IVTA. No sight-threatening side effects of IVTA were observed. CONCLUSIONS IVTA is useful in stabilizing DME progression, although its therapeutic effect may be timelimited.