The effect of posterior sub-Tenon’s capsule triamcinolone acetonide injection to that of pars plana vitrectomy for diabetic macular edema

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of posterior sub-Tenon's capsule triamcinolone acetonide (STTA) injection to that of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for diabetic macular edema (DME). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 50 patients (52 eyes) with DME were reviewed. Twenty-six eyes underwent STTA (20 mg) and the other 26 eyes underwent vitrectomy combined with cataract surgery. The central macular thickness (CMT), measured by optical coherence tomography, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were determined before and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: The differences in the BCVA and the CMT between the STTA group and the PPV group were not significant before or at any time after the treatment. In both the STTA and PPV groups, there were significant differences between the pre-treatment CMT and BCVA at any time after treatment. CONCLUSION: We recommend STTA injection for the treatment of DME.