Predictive factors for visual acuity after intravitreal triamcinolone treatment for diabetic macular edema.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate which factors influence maximum gain in best-corrected visual acuity after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide as treatment for diffuse diabetic macular edema.

METHODS:

This prospective clinical interventional study included 53 eyes with diffuse diabetic macular edema receiving an intravitreal injection of about 20 mg of triamcinolone. The mean +/- SD follow-up was 10.2 +/- 7.6 months.

RESULTS:

In a multiple linear regression analysis, maximum gain in best-corrected visual acuity after the intravitreal injection of triamcinolone was significantly (P < .001) and negatively correlated with an increased degree of macular ischemia and a higher preoperative visual acuity. Improvement in best-corrected visual acuity was significantly and positively correlated with increased degree of macular edema (P = .001). Change in best-corrected visual acuity after the intravitreal triamcinolone injection was statistically independent (P > .15) of age, sex, pseudophakia, and macula grid laser treatment before inclusion into the study. The results were comparable for gain in visual acuity at 6 months after the injection.

CONCLUSION:

Pronounced macular edema may have a positive impact, and marked macular ischemia and a high preoperative best-corrected visual acuity may have a negative impact, on an increase in best-corrected visual acuity after intravitreal triamcinolone injection in patients with diabetic macular edema.

• Authors: Jost B Jonas, Peter Martus, Robert F Degenring, Ingrid Kreissig, Imren Akkoyun
• Journal: Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) (Arch Ophthalmol) Vol. 123 Issue 10 Pg. 1338-43 (Oct 2005) ISSN: 0003-9950 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16219724 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Glucocorticoids
• Triamcinolone Acetonide

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Diabetic Retinopathy (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Glucocorticoids (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Injections
• Macular Edema (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Risk Factors
• Treatment Outcome
• Triamcinolone Acetonide (therapeutic use)
• Visual Acuity (physiology)
• Vitreous Body