Combined intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide and panretinal photocoagulation for concomitant diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy

PURPOSE: To present our results of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) combined with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) for patients with concomitant clinically significant diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: Charts of patients undergoing combined IVTA and PRP were reviewed. Outcome measures included visual acuity, presence of macular edema, and response of proliferative disease to laser photocoagulation. RESULTS: Four patients were included in this study. All patients maintained stable visual acuity during the treatment period. All patients had improvement in the amount of macular edema, despite the application of PRP, as well as complete regression of their proliferative disease. There were no short-term complications associated with IVTA or PRP. CONCLUSION: Combination treatment with IVTA and PRP may provide benefit in patients with diffuse diabetic macular edema who require urgent PRP for proliferative diabetic retinopathy by preventing exacerbation of macular edema.