Comparison of vitrectomized with nonvitrectomized eyes after subtenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide to treat diabetic macular edema: Retrospective comparative Analysis of an interventional case series

PURPOSE: Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) is an alternative option for diabetic macular edema thanks to its cost-benefit ratio and unique delivery route. We performed this study to compare vitrectomized with nonvitrectomized eyes treated with subtenon TA injection for diabetic macular edema. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who had undergone subtenon TA injection for diabetic macular edema treatment. The patients were divided into two groups: Vitrectomized and nonvitrectomized. Visual acuity and central subfield macular thickness (CSMT) were analyzed before injection, at 1 and 3 months after injection. RESULTS: Visual acuity in vitrectomized group improved significantly at 1 month (P = 0.002), but this improvement regressed after 3 months. In the nonvitrectomized group, visual acuity did not improve significantly after 1 month, but it did after 3 months (P = 0.019). The CSMT decreased significantly in both groups at 1 and 3 months (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the groups at either 1 or 3 months with regard to either visual improvement or change in CSMT. CONCLUSION: Subtenon TA injection could be an alternative treatment option for diabetic macular edema, both in vitrectomized and in nonvitrectomized eyes. TA seems to take effect earlier and decay faster in vitrectomized eyes.