Short-term effects of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection on ocular blood flow evaluated with color Doppler ultrasonography

AIM:To evaluate the changes in ocular blood flow with color Doppler ultrasonography(CDU) after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide(IVTA) injection.METHODS:A total of 46 patients who underwent IVTA(4 mg/0.1 mL) injection for diabetic macular edema(DME)(n =22), central retinal vein occlusion(CRVO)(n =12) and choroidal neovascular membrane(CNVM)(n =12) were included in the study. Peak systolic velocity(PSV), end diastolic velocity(EDV) and resistivity index(RI) were measured from the ophthalmic artery(OA), the central retinal artery(CRA) and the posterior ciliary artery(PCA)of each patient with CDU before, at the end of the first week and at the end of the first month following IVTA injection.RESULTS:In the DME group, PSV of OA at the first of the first month(mean ±SD)(37.48 ±10.87 cm/s) increased compared to pre-injection value(31.39 ±10.84 cm/s)(P =0.048). There was a statistically significant decrease(P =0.049) in PSV of CRA at the end of the first month(7.97±2.67 cm/s) compared to the pre-injection(9.47±3.37 cm/s).There was not any statistically significant difference onthe other parameters in the DME group. Also, there was not any statistically significant difference on the ocular blood flow values in the CRVO and CNVM groups.CONCLUSION:We observed that 4 mg/0.1 mL IVTA increased PSV of OA and decreased PSV of CRA in DME patients and did not have any effect on ocular blood flow values of CRVO and CNVM patients.

Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide： a ＂real world＂ analysis of visual acuity, pressure and outcomes

Dear Sir,Triamcinolone acetonide（TA）is worldwide available therapeutic agent that is commonly used throughout medicine.TA remains a safe and important ophthalmic therapeutic agent even after the advent of angiogenesis inhibitors[1-2].

Update on treatments of diabetic macular edema

Objective To review the update research progress about the treatment of diabetic macular edema and to give helpful guidelines in the treatment of diabetic macular edema based on available evidence to date. Data sources A literature search of all English articles was performed on the online electronic PubMed database dated 1984 to 2009. The keywords searched included： macular edema, therapy, laser coagulation, intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide, vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor, protein kinase C inhibitor and Pars plana vitrectomy. After finding relevant articles within these search limits, a manual search was conducted through the references from these articles. Study selection Original articles and critical reviews were reviewed and selected to address the stated purpose. Results To date, demonstrated means to reduce the risk of vision loss from diabetic macular edema include focal/grid laser photocoagulation and improved metabolic control. Emerging pharmacologic therapies （intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide, vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors and protein kinase C beta-isoform inhibitors） and Pars plana vitrectomy have shown early promise in the treatment of diabetic macular edema. Conclusions As there has been extensive development in multiple treatments of diabetic macular edema, choice of the most suitable treatment for specific patients becomes important. Combination therapy of laser, pharmacological and surqical treatment modalities mav offer an alternative to treatment of diabetic macular edema.