Purpose: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) combined with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) on visual acuity (VA) and foveal thickness in patients with concomitant high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and clinically significant macular oedema (CSMO).
Methods: This retrospective interventional case series included seven eyes diagnosed with both high-risk PDR and CSMO that underwent PRP and a single injection of 4 mg of IVTA. The main outcome measures were VA and foveal thickness, measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) before treatment and throughout the follow-up period.
Results: Median follow-up was 301 days (range 180-715 days). Foveal thickness data were available for four of seven eyes. Before the combined treatment, median LogMAR (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) VA and median foveal thickness were 1 (Snellen 20/200, range 20/40-20/800) and 559 microm (range 333-689 microm), respectively. After treatment, median vision improved to LogMAR 0.544 (Snellen 20/70, range 20/40-20/1000) (P = 0.13). Vision improved or remained stable in six of seven eyes. Median foveal thickness at final follow-up was 436 microm (range 259-623 microm) (P = 0.15). Foveal thickness decreased or remained stable in all eyes.
Conclusion: The addition of IVTA to PRP in the treatment of eyes with high-risk PDR and CSMO may prevent PRP-induced foveal thickening and loss of vision.