Comparative study of grid laser alone and grid laser with Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide in Diabetic Macular Edema.

Abstract

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of new cases of blindness, macular edema being most frequent cause of visual impairment in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Photocoagulation was established treatment for macular edema but more recently intravitreal steroids have been used primarily and also in refractory macular edema with promising results. Methods: A hospital based non randomised prospective case series of 60 patients with diabetic macular edema assigned into group A treating with Grid laser alone and group B with grid laser and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide. Results: Group- A:15patients (50%) have stable visual acuity (6/18 - 6/9) with persistent macular edema in comparison with 33%in group B. 50% improved one line with regression of macular edema in comparing 67% in group B, clearly indicating superiority of combination therapy. Conclusion: Study shows better visual outcome and improvement in ophthalmoscopic appearance after intravitreal triamcinolone injection followed by grid laser as compared to grid laser alone. Key words: Diabetic macular edema, Grid laser, Intravitreal triamcinolone