ABSTRACT
AIM: To do the assesement of the effects of repeated parabulbar application of triamcinolone acetonide ( TA ) on uveitic macular edema ( ME ) with and without epiretinal membranes ( ERM) obtained via high resolution optical coherence tomography( OCT) parameters ( central and average macular thicknesses, and volume) and their correlation with visual efficiency. ● METHODS: This study depicts treatment results obtained for 140 eyes in patients with uveitic macular edema divided into two groups based on absence or presence of epiretinal membranes. Three repeated doses of triamcinolone acetonide ( 40 mg each ) were parabulbarlly applied every 3-4wk, and besides which all patients also received local treatment of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients′ visual efficiency, intraocular pressure, and high resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography ( SD-OCT ) examination was performed. ●RESULTS: Best results were achieved in patients with macular edema without epiretinal membranes where average values for average thickness, volume, and central field thickness were statistically significantly lower than the same values at the beginning of treatment. Following treatment of eyes with macular edema in a group with ERM, besides decreased values of volume and average thickness, there was also increased central field thickness. Overall, from initial examination to treatment completion, there was no statistically significant change of intraocular pressure and central field thickness, but there was statistically significant decrease in average thickness, volume, while visual efficiency statistically increased. ln both groups visual efficiency highly correlated with central field thickness. ● CONCLUSION: Repeated parabulbar application of triamcinolone acetonide had better outcome on uveitic macular edema without epiretinal membranes being present.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between diabetic macular edema diagnosed with stereoscopic slit-lamp and retinal thickness analyzer (RTA). METHODS: Diabetic macular edema diagnosed with stereoscopic slit-lamp was compared to indices of RTA in 50 eyes of 32 persons which were diagnosed clinically with diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: From stereoscopic slit-lamp results, diabetic macular edema was present in 39 of 50 eyes, and absent in 11 of 50. Foveal average thickness out of the RTA indices was 209.7+/-58.5 micrometer from observing diabetic macular edema clinically and 199.4+/-47.3 micrometer from not observing diabetic macular edema clinically. Statistically significant differences were found in average foveal thickness between the 2 groups (p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: RTA appears to serve as a useful and sensitive tool for the diagnosis of diabetic macular edema.