Abstract
Purpose: :
To assess efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab in combination with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) and macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion.
Methods: :
In this case series intravitreal bevacizumab (1.5 mg) and triamcinolone acetonide (4 mg) was injected into 16 eyes with diabetic macular edema and into13 eyes with macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). The main outcome measures were changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness findings before and after bevacizumab and triamcinolone acetonide injection.
Results: :
After a mean follow-up of 28 weeks mean increase of visual acuity was 4.8 letters (DME) [P<0.05] and 5.5 letters (RVO) [P<0.05]. All patients received one treatment. Mean decrease of retinal thickness was 162 µm (DME) [P<0.05] and 187 µm (RVO) [P<0.05]. IOP elevation (mean + 2.8 mmHg) occurred in two patients and was successfully treated by means of topical drugs. In one patient, conjunctival swelling developed after the injection but resolved. No other complications developed.
Conclusions: :
Intravitreal bevacizumab in combination with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide is well tolerated and has a promising functional and morphological outcome. BCVA increased in eyes with diabetic macular edema and in eyes with retinal vein occlusion. This improvement could be sustained up to 6 months.
Keywords: diabetic retinopathy • vascular occlusion/vascular occlusive disease • macula/fovea