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BMC Ophthalmology
Published in: BMC Ophthalmology 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Quantitative evaluation of hard exudates in diabetic macular edema after short-term intravitreal triamcinolone, dexamethasone implant or bevacizumab injections

Authors: Yong Un Shin, Eun Hee Hong, Han Woong Lim, Min Ho Kang, Mincheol Seong, Heeyoon Cho

Published in: BMC Ophthalmology | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

To quantitatively compare short-term hard exudates (HEs) alteration in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) after intravitreal triamcinolone, dexamethasone implant or bevacizumab injections.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled DME eyes with HEs that underwent a single-dose intravitreal injection of triamcinolone (25 eyes), dexamethasone implant (20 eyes), or three monthly injections of bevacizumab (25 eyes) and completed at least three months of follow-up. All patients were examined before and after 1, 2 and 3 months of injections. Using color fundus photographs, the amount of HEs was quantified by two masked graders. The difference in HEs area between baseline and each follow-up visit was compared among the three groups.

Results

After three months, HEs area was reduced to 52.9 ± 4.21% (P < 0.001) in the triamcinolone group, 63.6 ± 6.08% (P = 0.002) in the dexamethasone implant group, and 85.2 ± 5.07% (P = 0.198) in the bevacizumab group. A significant reduction in HEs appeared at one month in the triamcinolone group (53.5 ± 4.91%, P < 0.001) and at two months in the dexamethasone implant group (70.1 ± 5.21%, P = 0.039).

Conclusions

Our study suggests intravitreal steroids (triamcinolone, dexamethasone implants) significantly reduce HEs in DME patients on short-term follow-up, whereas intravitreal bevacizumab does not. Therefore, intravitreal steroids may be useful in DME with HEs in the fovea.
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Metadata
Title
Quantitative evaluation of hard exudates in diabetic macular edema after short-term intravitreal triamcinolone, dexamethasone implant or bevacizumab injections
Authors
Yong Un Shin
Eun Hee Hong
Han Woong Lim
Min Ho Kang
Mincheol Seong
Heeyoon Cho
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Ophthalmology / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2415
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-017-0578-0

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