Comparison of Intravitreal Triamcinolone Treatment and Intravitreal Triamcinolone with Grid Laser Treatment in Patients with Diffuse Diabetic Macular Edema

Objective: To compare the efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) and IVTA plus macular laser grid photocoagulation therapy in diffuse diabetic macular edema (DME). Material and Methods: Sixteen patients affected by diffuse DME were retrospectively evaulated. Patients were divided into two groups: control group (IVTA injection) and laser group (IVTA plus grid laser). Main outcomes were best corrected visual aquity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) at the 3rd and 6th months of treatment. IVTA associated complications and reinjection necessity were assessed. Results: Our study comprised 18 eyes of 16 patients. The baseline BCVA and CMT were 0.93 +/- 0.45 and 530 +/- 136 mu m for the control and 1.02 +/- 0.52 and 509 +/- 177 mu m for the laser group respectively. Posttreatment BCVA at the 3rd and 6th month were 0.73 +/- 0.4 and 0.75 +/- 0.45 for control and 0.98 +/- 0.44 and 1.04 +/- 0.4 for laser group respectively (p>0.05 for all). CMT values at the 3rd and 6th months were 260 +/- 174 mu m (p=0.008) and 362 +/- 163 mu m (p=0.05) for control and 331 +/- 161 mu m (p=0.05) and 388 +/- 215 mu m (p>0.05) for laser groups. 55% of control and 66% of laser groups needed reinjection with an avarage of 7 +/- 4 months after the first injection. 22% cataract progression and 33% intraocular pressure elevation were noted. Conclusion: Macular grid laser photocoagulation after IVTA does not have beneficial effects for diffuse DME.