A clinical study on cystoid macular edema.

AIM : To study the epidemiology of cystoid macular edema and analyse the effectiveness of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in treatment of refractory cystoid macular edema. MATERIALS AND METHODS : This prospective, non randomized clinical study was conducted at Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Chennai in Vitreo retina clinic. 40 eyes of 32 patients were analysed and followed up for a period of 6 months. OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS : The mean age of presentation was 58.33 ± 9.5 years with a male : female ratio of 1.9:1. Diabetes was found to be the leading cause. The reduction in mean macular thickness was significant in all three groups with diabetic macular edema(423.13±196.55μm) and pseudophakic macular edema (450.55±126.38μm) having a good reduction compared to retinal vein occlusion group. All patients had a significant 2 Snellen line visual improvement. The correlation between macular thickness and visual acuity was weak positive in post treatment. Increase in intraocular pressure was noted in 22.5% cases responding to medical therapy with 1 case needed a surgical intervention. CONCLUSION : The fall in Mean macular thickness after IVTA was statistically significant in all three groups analysed.The visual acuity improvement also was statistically significant (p<0.0001) but correlation with macular thickness was weak positive. Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide is a promising therapy in refractory cystoid macular edema in terms of safety and effectiveness.