Visual outcome after macular grid laser and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in diabetic macular edema

Abstract

Introduction: Macular edema affects approximately 29% of diabetic patients and constitutes the primary cause of visual impairment in this population. The combination therapy of grid laser and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA), the reaction mechanism of each therapy to macular edema is different; hence, not only greater effects on the reduction of macular edema can be anticipated, but also the stimulation of inflammatory reaction induced by grid laser could be prevented by anti-inflammatory reaction of steroids as investigated in several studies. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the best corrected visual acuity after IVTA and macular grid laser in combination in cases of diabetic macular edema. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 patients of diabetic macular edema were enrolled in our prospective, randomized clinical trial study, grid laser, and IVTA was given to each patient in combination. The pre-intervention and post-intervention best corrected visual acuity was studied. Results: We observed 35 (70%) patients improved by 1 or more line on Snellen's chart, 12 (24%) remain unchanged and 3 (6%) deteriorated from baseline. The overall mean improvement in visual acuity was 1.08 with SD of ± 0.16. Conclusion: The results of present study showed a favorable influence of grid laser and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in diabetic macular edema. It improves and stabilizes the visual acuity in patients with the diabetic macular edema.