Abstract:

Objective To discuss the efficacy and safety of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) retrobulbar injection combined with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) i
n the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME),and to explain the advantages of this combination treatment method in treating DME.
Methods Sixty-four cases (64 eyes) with macular edema due to diabetic retinopathy(DR)  were randomly divided into combination treatment group(n=34,treated with TA retrobulbar injection combined with PRP) and PRP group(n=30,received PRP treatment only).The changes
 in the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA),the fovea centralis thickness (CMT),and the intraocular pressure(IOP) before treatment and in 1 month,3 months,6 months after treatment were compared.  Results The BCVA was improved in both groups after treatment.However,the BCVA improvement in combination treatment group was statistically more significant (P<0.05) compared with PRP group in 1 month,3 months and 6 months after treatment.The resolution of DME after treatment as compared with that before treatment,the CMT reduced in two groups in 1 month,3 months,6 months after treatment.At each stage,the CMT in  combination treatment  group was lower than PRP group (P<0.05).No complications of glaucoma，cataract,vitreous hemorrhage,retinal detachment,choroidal detachment,and endophthalmitis were  found in all patients.Conclusion For the patients with DME,the combination
 treatment with TA retrobulbar injection and PRP has a better therapeutic effect than the sole PRP treatment in reducing the macular edema and improving the BCVA.The operation is simple and has less complication.
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Key words: retrobulbar injection, triamcinolone acetonide, diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, panretinal photocoagulation