Efficacy and Safety of Multiple Intravitreal Triamcinolone Injections for Refractory Diabetic Macular Oedema.
- Mark C Gillies (mark{at}eye.usyd.edu.au),
- Amirul Islam (fislam{at}unimelb.edu.au),
- Meidong Zhu (meidong{at}eye.usyd.edu.au),
- Jörgen Larsson (jorgen.larsson{at}skane.se),
- Tien Yin Wong (twong{at}unimelb.edu.au)
- Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Australia
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Australia
- University of Sydney, Sydney Eye Hospital, Australia
- Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Australia
- Published Online First 3 April 2007
Abstract
Aim: The efficacy and safety of repeated injections of intravitreal triamcinolone (IVTA) for diabetic macular oedema is unclear, with results of previous reports conflicting.
Methods: This is a prospective, observational case series of 27 eyes receiving IVTA for diabetic macular oedema. LogMAR visual acuity (VA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were measured at baseline and in 3 to 6 monthly intervals for up to 24 months, then correlated with the number of IVTA injections given.
Results: One IVTA injection was required in 6 (18%) eyes, 2 in 8 (24%) eyes, 3 in 13 (39%) eyes and 4- 5 in 6 (18%) eyes. VA improved in all patients, but neither the final improvement in VA nor the absolute improvement in CMT from baseline to 24 months correlated with the number of injections received (p=0.44 and 0.84 respectively). Cataract surgery was more frequent in eyes receiving more injections (p=0.01).
Conclusions: This study suggests that repeated injections of IVTA continue to be as effective as the first over a 2 year period. The probability of cataract surgery increases with increasing number of injections
