Posterior sub-tenon’s injection of triamcinolone acetonide combined with retinal photocoagulation for the treatment of diabetic macular edema

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of posterior sub-tenon’s injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) combined with retinal photocoagulation for the treatment of diabetic macular edema. Methods Ninty eyes of 56 patients with diabetic macular edema were treated with posterior sub-tenon’s injection of 20 mg TA, and then all cases received retinal photocoagulation (RP) 1 week after injection. Visual acuity, fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA) and macular coherence tomography (OCT) were observed at 1 and 3 months after injection, and the changes of visual acuity and macular edema were analyzed. Results All patients were followed up for 1-18 months. The visual acuity improved in 31 eyes(34.4%) after photocoagulation, no changed in 55 eyes (61.1%), and decreased in 4 eyes (4.4%). Macular edema disappeared in 11 eyes(12.2%), macular edema was significantly reduced in 31 eyes(34.4%), macular edema reducde in 32 eyes(35.5%). No change in macular edema in 10 eyes(11.1%), macular edema was aggravated in 6 eyes(6.7%). Conclusion Posterior sub-tenon’s injection of triamcinolone acetonide can reduce the retinal edema, and the energy required for RP. It also can protect the function of the retina by reducing the complications. Key words: Triamcinolone acetonide, sub-tenon’s; Photocoagulation, retinal; Edema, macular, diabetic