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) inject...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.展开更多
BACKGROUND Intravitreal injection has become an efficient approach for delivering drugs at therapeutic levels to the posterior segment in retinal diseases.However,the increased frequency and number of intravitreal inj...BACKGROUND Intravitreal injection has become an efficient approach for delivering drugs at therapeutic levels to the posterior segment in retinal diseases.However,the increased frequency and number of intravitreal injections have raised concerns about their side effects.As manipulation during surgery is relatively simple,details of the procedure are easily overlooked.Iatrogenic crystalline lens injury is a rare complication caused by improper manipulation during surgical procedures.We report two cases of crystalline lens injury during intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide(TA)with the hope of providing an insight into this treatment.CASE SUMMARY Case 1 was a 62-year-old woman with macular edema caused by central retinal vein occlusion in her right eye,and Case 2 was a 65-year-old man with macular edema caused by branch retinal vein occlusion in his right eye.In view of the patients’condition and economic constraints,an intravitreal injection of TA was administered.Due to inappropriate manipulation during surgery,the lens was injured.The site of lens injury and clinical manifestations were different in the two cases.Symptomatic treatment and continuous follow-up were carried out.The therapeutic effect following phacoemulsification of the cataract was satisfactory.CONCLUSION Well-defined surgical incision under proper anesthesia,sufficient patient information and proficient anatomical skills of the physician are mandatory to prevent this rare adverse event.Careful and meticulous phacoemulsification of the cataract is suggested.展开更多
Purpose:.To study the effect of intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) for the treatment of macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion.(CRVO).in a sample of Chinese patients from Shaanx...Purpose:.To study the effect of intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) for the treatment of macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion.(CRVO).in a sample of Chinese patients from Shaanxi province. Methods:.The 50 eyes from 50 patients were separated into three TA treatment groups:.17 patients were given 4 mg/0.1 ml,.19 patients were given 8 mg/0.2 ml,.and 14 patients were given 16 mg/0.4 ml. Patients were followed up for 12 months. Foveal thickness, intraocular pressure (IOP), and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were measured. Results:.Macular edema responded well both anatomically and functionally to the TA injections. After the initial intravitreal injection,.macular edema recurred at 2-4 months in the low-dose group.(4 mg),.at 3-5 months in the medium-dose group (8 mg), and at 6-9 months in the high-dose group (16 mg)..No significant difference in BCVA or in foveal thickness were observed between the first intravitreal injection and the re-injection. There was no increase in IOP after re-injection of 16 mg TA,.if the patient did not have an elevated IOP after the initial intravitreal injection of 4/8 mg TA. Conclusion: A low dosage of TA (4 mg) administered via intravitreal injection might be useful as an initial treatment for macular edema secondary to CRVO..A higher dosage of TA (16mg) can be used if there is no IOP elevation with the initial TA injection.展开更多
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 angiogenes...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].展开更多
AIM:To evaluate the retinal safety of various doses of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide(TA)in rabbits.METHODS:Thirty New Zealand albino rabbits were divided into five groups(six animals each).In group 1(control gr...AIM:To evaluate the retinal safety of various doses of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide(TA)in rabbits.METHODS:Thirty New Zealand albino rabbits were divided into five groups(six animals each).In group 1(control group),each animal received a single intravitreal injection of 0.1 mL phosphate buffered saline.In groups2,3,4 and 5,each rabbit received a single intravitreal injection of 4,8,16 and 32mg of TA,respectively.Each dose was contained in 0.1 mL phosphate buffered saline.Clinical ocular examinations were performed before the injection and on the 1st,3rd,10th and 17th postinjection days.A standard dark adapted electroretinogram(ERG)was obtained before injection and on the 3rd,10th and 17th post-injection days.After17d,animals were sacrificed and their eyes prepared for pathological examination.RESULTS:By monitoring ERG as a functional index for the retina,intravitreal injection of 4mg TA showed no significant ERG changes.At doses of 8,16 and 32,hyper-abnormal responses in a-and b-waves of ERG were detected on the 3rd post-injection day.These changes gradually returned back to normal limits after17d.Histopathological examination of the retina of all animals showed no pathological changes.CONCLUSION:High doses of intravitreal TA seemed to have enhancing effects on the retinal function with gradual return to normal limits with no pathological changes detected in examined eyes.展开更多
Purpose: Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide (IVTA) is a useful treatment option for various intraocular diseases such as Macular Edema (ME). The treatment can cause several complications, including transient elevati...Purpose: Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide (IVTA) is a useful treatment option for various intraocular diseases such as Macular Edema (ME). The treatment can cause several complications, including transient elevation of intraocular pressure and cataract formation. Here, we describe an atypical complication of IVTA. Case: A 60-year-old Japanese man presented with ME associated with central retinal vein occlusion. We performed intravitreal injection of 4 mg of TA. However, the drug spread behind the posterior lens capsule and also flowed into the anterior chamber. Although the amount of TA particles behind the lens capsule decreased over time, these particles persisted for more than 2 months. Conclusion: Although IVTA is an easy and effective treatment for ME, TA is harmful when injected into inappropriate regions of the eye. Accurate IVTA injection is important for effective treatment.展开更多
AIM:To assess possible benefits of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide(IVTA)injection as pretreatment for macular laser photocoagulation(MLP)in patients with diabetic macular edema(DME).·METHODS:Publishe...AIM:To assess possible benefits of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide(IVTA)injection as pretreatment for macular laser photocoagulation(MLP)in patients with diabetic macular edema(DME).·METHODS:Published randomized controlled trials(RCTs)concerning MLP with or without IVTA pretreatment for DME were retrieved from databases CNKI,Medline,EMbase,Web of Science,and the Cochrane Library.A Meta-analysis on eligible studies was conducted using Rev Man 5.0 software.Two investigators independently assessed the quality of the trials and extracted data.Main outcome measures included the change in best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA),difference in central macular thickness(CMT)and adverse events reporting in particular elevated intraocular pressure within the follow-up period.The results were pooled using weight mean difference(WMD)or odds risk(OR)with their corresponding 95%confidence intervals(CI).A fixed-or random-effect model was employed depending on the heterogeneity of the inclusion trials.·R ESULTS:Finally,five independent RCTs were identified and used for comparing MLP with IVTA pretreatment(131 eyes)with MLP alone(133 eyes,control group).The overall study quality was relatively higher according to the modified Jadad scale.The Metaanalysis showed that MLP with IVTA pretreatment significantly reduced CMT at one,three and six months(=0.002,0.0003 and 0.04,respectively),compared with MLP alone.The IVTA pretreatment group showed statistically significant improvements in BCVA at the one-month follow up as compared with the control group(=0.03).At three-and six-month follow up,there was a beneficial trend towards improving visual acuity in the IVTA pretreatment group without statistical significance between groups(=0.06 and 0.20,respectively).The incidence of elevation of intraocular pressure was significantly higher in the IVTA pretreatment group than in the control group(〈0.0001).No evidence of publication bias was present according to Begg’s test and Egger’s test.There was a low level of heterogeneity in the included studies.·CONCLUSION:This Meta-analysis indicates that MLP with IVTA pretreatment has a better therapeutic effect in terms of CMT reduction and earlier(1mo)visual improvement for patients with DME as compared with MLP alone.Further confirmation with rigorously welldesigned multi-center trials is needed.展开更多
Purpose: To evaluate the clinical effect of 5-μm pore filter connected with three-way cock by removing the vehicle in triamcinolone acetonide(TA) suspension. Methods: Through 5-μm pore filter connected with three-wa...Purpose: To evaluate the clinical effect of 5-μm pore filter connected with three-way cock by removing the vehicle in triamcinolone acetonide(TA) suspension. Methods: Through 5-μm pore filter connected with three-way cock, TA suspension was replaced by intraocular irrigating solution. The new suspension has been applied to 60 cases of diabetic branch retinal vein occlusion,diabetic macular edema and age-related macular degeneration patients through intravitreal injection. It was also been applied to 41 cases of diabetic retinopathy, epimacular membrane, proliferative vitreoretinopathy and idiopathic macular hole patients to assist pas plana vitrectomy (PPV). Whether TA particles can adhere to posterior hyaloid cortex, epiretinal membrane and internal limiting membrane during the surgery have been observed. During follow up, corrected visual acuity and intraocular pressure were recorded. Results: Five μm pore filter connected with three-way cock can remove the vehicle in TA suspension successfully and retain TA particles. When the new suspension was applied to assist PPV, it can adhere to posterior hyaloid cortex, epiretinal membrane, internal limiting membrane and visualized them clearly. In all the 41 cases that underwent PPV surgery, visual acuity of 30 cases increased or remained stable. Intraocular hypertension happened in 4 cases. Two cases of the 41 patients had cataract formation during follow up. In the 60 cases that underwent TA intravitreal injection, 45 cases increased their visual acuity at least 2 lines. Intraocular hypertension happened in 17 cases and 4 patients had cataract formation. None of the 101 patients caught endophthalmitis or other serious complications. Conclusion: Filter connected with three-way cock can remove the vehicle in TA suspension effectively and this procedure can be applied to intravitreal injection or PPV. This manipulation is so simple that it deserves to be popularized for clinical use.展开更多
Background Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs and corticosteroids are being widely used to treat diabetic macular edema (DME). The purpose of this study was to evaluate further ...Background Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs and corticosteroids are being widely used to treat diabetic macular edema (DME). The purpose of this study was to evaluate further the efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) alone in comparison with intravitreal bevacizumab combined with triamcinolone acetonide (IVB/IVT) in the treatment of DME. Methods Pertinent publications were identified through CNKI, PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register up to November 30, 2013. Two investigators independently assessed the quality of the trials, and changes in central macular thickness (CMT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were extracted at 6 weeks and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after the initial treatment. A meta-analysis was carried out to compare the results between the groups receiving IVB and IVB/IVT using the software RevMan 5.0. Results A total of six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified and included. The meta-analysis revealed that a significant reduction of the CMT was observed at 3 months after the initial treatment in the IVB/IVT group compared to the IVB group (P=-0.001). Also, changes in CMT at 6 weeks and 6, 12, and 24 months did not vary significantly between the IVB and IVB/IVT groups (P=0.53, 0.76, 0.34, and 0.09, respectively). Similarly, changes in BCVA at 6 weeks and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months also did not vary significantly between the two groups (P=-0.66, 0.98, 0.81, 0.07, and 0.80, respectively). The results were robust to sensitivity analyses. However, the rate of intraocular pressure (IOP) rise after intravitreal injections varied significantly between the IVB and IVB/IV'r groups (P 〈0.01). A publication bias was not detected by funnel plots, the Egger method, or the Begg method. Conclusions Results of this meta-analysis showed that the treatments with IVB alone and combined IVB/IVT were similarly effective in improving the visual acuity, and, to some degree; combined IVB/IVT appeared to offer a marginal advantage over IVB in decreasing CMT in patients with DME. However, the addition of IV'I- resulted in intraocular pressure rise in some treated patients.展开更多
文摘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.
基金Supported by Scientific Research Projects of Shanghai Municipal Health and Family Planning Commission,No.201640049
文摘BACKGROUND Intravitreal injection has become an efficient approach for delivering drugs at therapeutic levels to the posterior segment in retinal diseases.However,the increased frequency and number of intravitreal injections have raised concerns about their side effects.As manipulation during surgery is relatively simple,details of the procedure are easily overlooked.Iatrogenic crystalline lens injury is a rare complication caused by improper manipulation during surgical procedures.We report two cases of crystalline lens injury during intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide(TA)with the hope of providing an insight into this treatment.CASE SUMMARY Case 1 was a 62-year-old woman with macular edema caused by central retinal vein occlusion in her right eye,and Case 2 was a 65-year-old man with macular edema caused by branch retinal vein occlusion in his right eye.In view of the patients’condition and economic constraints,an intravitreal injection of TA was administered.Due to inappropriate manipulation during surgery,the lens was injured.The site of lens injury and clinical manifestations were different in the two cases.Symptomatic treatment and continuous follow-up were carried out.The therapeutic effect following phacoemulsification of the cataract was satisfactory.CONCLUSION Well-defined surgical incision under proper anesthesia,sufficient patient information and proficient anatomical skills of the physician are mandatory to prevent this rare adverse event.Careful and meticulous phacoemulsification of the cataract is suggested.
文摘Purpose:.To study the effect of intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) for the treatment of macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion.(CRVO).in a sample of Chinese patients from Shaanxi province. Methods:.The 50 eyes from 50 patients were separated into three TA treatment groups:.17 patients were given 4 mg/0.1 ml,.19 patients were given 8 mg/0.2 ml,.and 14 patients were given 16 mg/0.4 ml. Patients were followed up for 12 months. Foveal thickness, intraocular pressure (IOP), and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were measured. Results:.Macular edema responded well both anatomically and functionally to the TA injections. After the initial intravitreal injection,.macular edema recurred at 2-4 months in the low-dose group.(4 mg),.at 3-5 months in the medium-dose group (8 mg), and at 6-9 months in the high-dose group (16 mg)..No significant difference in BCVA or in foveal thickness were observed between the first intravitreal injection and the re-injection. There was no increase in IOP after re-injection of 16 mg TA,.if the patient did not have an elevated IOP after the initial intravitreal injection of 4/8 mg TA. Conclusion: A low dosage of TA (4 mg) administered via intravitreal injection might be useful as an initial treatment for macular edema secondary to CRVO..A higher dosage of TA (16mg) can be used if there is no IOP elevation with the initial TA injection.
文摘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].
文摘AIM:To evaluate the retinal safety of various doses of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide(TA)in rabbits.METHODS:Thirty New Zealand albino rabbits were divided into five groups(six animals each).In group 1(control group),each animal received a single intravitreal injection of 0.1 mL phosphate buffered saline.In groups2,3,4 and 5,each rabbit received a single intravitreal injection of 4,8,16 and 32mg of TA,respectively.Each dose was contained in 0.1 mL phosphate buffered saline.Clinical ocular examinations were performed before the injection and on the 1st,3rd,10th and 17th postinjection days.A standard dark adapted electroretinogram(ERG)was obtained before injection and on the 3rd,10th and 17th post-injection days.After17d,animals were sacrificed and their eyes prepared for pathological examination.RESULTS:By monitoring ERG as a functional index for the retina,intravitreal injection of 4mg TA showed no significant ERG changes.At doses of 8,16 and 32,hyper-abnormal responses in a-and b-waves of ERG were detected on the 3rd post-injection day.These changes gradually returned back to normal limits after17d.Histopathological examination of the retina of all animals showed no pathological changes.CONCLUSION:High doses of intravitreal TA seemed to have enhancing effects on the retinal function with gradual return to normal limits with no pathological changes detected in examined eyes.
文摘Purpose: Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide (IVTA) is a useful treatment option for various intraocular diseases such as Macular Edema (ME). The treatment can cause several complications, including transient elevation of intraocular pressure and cataract formation. Here, we describe an atypical complication of IVTA. Case: A 60-year-old Japanese man presented with ME associated with central retinal vein occlusion. We performed intravitreal injection of 4 mg of TA. However, the drug spread behind the posterior lens capsule and also flowed into the anterior chamber. Although the amount of TA particles behind the lens capsule decreased over time, these particles persisted for more than 2 months. Conclusion: Although IVTA is an easy and effective treatment for ME, TA is harmful when injected into inappropriate regions of the eye. Accurate IVTA injection is important for effective treatment.
文摘AIM:To assess possible benefits of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide(IVTA)injection as pretreatment for macular laser photocoagulation(MLP)in patients with diabetic macular edema(DME).·METHODS:Published randomized controlled trials(RCTs)concerning MLP with or without IVTA pretreatment for DME were retrieved from databases CNKI,Medline,EMbase,Web of Science,and the Cochrane Library.A Meta-analysis on eligible studies was conducted using Rev Man 5.0 software.Two investigators independently assessed the quality of the trials and extracted data.Main outcome measures included the change in best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA),difference in central macular thickness(CMT)and adverse events reporting in particular elevated intraocular pressure within the follow-up period.The results were pooled using weight mean difference(WMD)or odds risk(OR)with their corresponding 95%confidence intervals(CI).A fixed-or random-effect model was employed depending on the heterogeneity of the inclusion trials.·R ESULTS:Finally,five independent RCTs were identified and used for comparing MLP with IVTA pretreatment(131 eyes)with MLP alone(133 eyes,control group).The overall study quality was relatively higher according to the modified Jadad scale.The Metaanalysis showed that MLP with IVTA pretreatment significantly reduced CMT at one,three and six months(=0.002,0.0003 and 0.04,respectively),compared with MLP alone.The IVTA pretreatment group showed statistically significant improvements in BCVA at the one-month follow up as compared with the control group(=0.03).At three-and six-month follow up,there was a beneficial trend towards improving visual acuity in the IVTA pretreatment group without statistical significance between groups(=0.06 and 0.20,respectively).The incidence of elevation of intraocular pressure was significantly higher in the IVTA pretreatment group than in the control group(〈0.0001).No evidence of publication bias was present according to Begg’s test and Egger’s test.There was a low level of heterogeneity in the included studies.·CONCLUSION:This Meta-analysis indicates that MLP with IVTA pretreatment has a better therapeutic effect in terms of CMT reduction and earlier(1mo)visual improvement for patients with DME as compared with MLP alone.Further confirmation with rigorously welldesigned multi-center trials is needed.
文摘Purpose: To evaluate the clinical effect of 5-μm pore filter connected with three-way cock by removing the vehicle in triamcinolone acetonide(TA) suspension. Methods: Through 5-μm pore filter connected with three-way cock, TA suspension was replaced by intraocular irrigating solution. The new suspension has been applied to 60 cases of diabetic branch retinal vein occlusion,diabetic macular edema and age-related macular degeneration patients through intravitreal injection. It was also been applied to 41 cases of diabetic retinopathy, epimacular membrane, proliferative vitreoretinopathy and idiopathic macular hole patients to assist pas plana vitrectomy (PPV). Whether TA particles can adhere to posterior hyaloid cortex, epiretinal membrane and internal limiting membrane during the surgery have been observed. During follow up, corrected visual acuity and intraocular pressure were recorded. Results: Five μm pore filter connected with three-way cock can remove the vehicle in TA suspension successfully and retain TA particles. When the new suspension was applied to assist PPV, it can adhere to posterior hyaloid cortex, epiretinal membrane, internal limiting membrane and visualized them clearly. In all the 41 cases that underwent PPV surgery, visual acuity of 30 cases increased or remained stable. Intraocular hypertension happened in 4 cases. Two cases of the 41 patients had cataract formation during follow up. In the 60 cases that underwent TA intravitreal injection, 45 cases increased their visual acuity at least 2 lines. Intraocular hypertension happened in 17 cases and 4 patients had cataract formation. None of the 101 patients caught endophthalmitis or other serious complications. Conclusion: Filter connected with three-way cock can remove the vehicle in TA suspension effectively and this procedure can be applied to intravitreal injection or PPV. This manipulation is so simple that it deserves to be popularized for clinical use.
文摘Background Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs and corticosteroids are being widely used to treat diabetic macular edema (DME). The purpose of this study was to evaluate further the efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) alone in comparison with intravitreal bevacizumab combined with triamcinolone acetonide (IVB/IVT) in the treatment of DME. Methods Pertinent publications were identified through CNKI, PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register up to November 30, 2013. Two investigators independently assessed the quality of the trials, and changes in central macular thickness (CMT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were extracted at 6 weeks and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after the initial treatment. A meta-analysis was carried out to compare the results between the groups receiving IVB and IVB/IVT using the software RevMan 5.0. Results A total of six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified and included. The meta-analysis revealed that a significant reduction of the CMT was observed at 3 months after the initial treatment in the IVB/IVT group compared to the IVB group (P=-0.001). Also, changes in CMT at 6 weeks and 6, 12, and 24 months did not vary significantly between the IVB and IVB/IVT groups (P=0.53, 0.76, 0.34, and 0.09, respectively). Similarly, changes in BCVA at 6 weeks and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months also did not vary significantly between the two groups (P=-0.66, 0.98, 0.81, 0.07, and 0.80, respectively). The results were robust to sensitivity analyses. However, the rate of intraocular pressure (IOP) rise after intravitreal injections varied significantly between the IVB and IVB/IV'r groups (P 〈0.01). A publication bias was not detected by funnel plots, the Egger method, or the Begg method. Conclusions Results of this meta-analysis showed that the treatments with IVB alone and combined IVB/IVT were similarly effective in improving the visual acuity, and, to some degree; combined IVB/IVT appeared to offer a marginal advantage over IVB in decreasing CMT in patients with DME. However, the addition of IV'I- resulted in intraocular pressure rise in some treated patients.