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Intravitreal triamcinolone for diabetic macular oedema in Chinese patients: six‐month prospective longitudinal pilot study
Author(s) -
Lam Dennis SC,
Chan Carmen KM,
Tang Emily WH,
Li Kenneth KW,
Fan Dorothy SP,
Chan WaiMan
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
clinical and experimental ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.3
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1442-9071
pISSN - 1442-6404
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2004.00903.x
Subject(s) - medicine , triamcinolone acetonide , ophthalmology , visual acuity , intraocular pressure , macular degeneration , prospective cohort study , surgery
Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone (IVTA) in Chinese patients with diabetic clinical significant macular oedema (CSMO). Methods: Eighteen eyes of 17 consecutive patients with CSMO were prospectively recruited and treated with a 4 mg injection of IVTA. Best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) on the ETDRS chart and central macular thickness (CMT) on optical coherence tomography were measured at baseline weeks 1, 2, 3, and months 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Side‐effects were monitored. Results: All patients completed 6 months of follow up. The mean baseline BCVA and CMT were 1.20 ± 0.31 logMAR units and 552 ± 179 µm, respectively. Improvements in CMT and BCVA were observed as early as at 1 and 2 weeks, respectively ( P < 0.05). Mean BCVA peaked at 2 months (0.97 ± 0.38 logMAR units) while mean CMT was maximally reduced at 3 months (326 ± 145 µm). Improvements in BCVA and CMT were less afterwards but still statistically significant at 6 months; the final mean BCVA and CMT were 0.99 ± 0.36 logMAR units and 427 ± 145 µm, respectively. A total of 5/18 (28%) eyes developed a transient increase in intraocular pressure. Cataract progression was noted in 2/12 (17%) of the phakic eyes. Conclusions: Intravitreal triamcinolone appeared generally safe and effective in Chinese patients with CSMO. Although the improvements in BCVA and CMT were transient, there were residual benefits at 6 months. Due to the transient nature of IVTA, re‐treatment seems necessary but the optimal timing and dosage will require further investigations.