Pattern electroretinogram for monitoring the efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone injection in diabetic macular edema


OZKIRIS A., Evereklioglu C., Oner A., Erkilic K.

DOCUMENTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, vol.109, no.2, pp.139-145, 2004 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 109 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2004
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s10633-004-2956-1
  • Journal Name: DOCUMENTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.139-145
  • Erciyes University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone (IVT) by evaluation of pattern electroretinogram (PERG) in diabetic patients with clinically significant macular edema (CSME). Methods: Forty eyes of 40 diabetic patients were treated with 8 mg of IVT injection as primary therapy for CSME. The main outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity, fundus fluorescein angiography P-50 amplitudes of pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and intraocular pressures before and after injection. Results: The mean follow-up time was 6.1 months. Mean visual acuity improved significantly from a mean LogMAR value of 1.14 +/- 0.16 at baseline to a maximum of 0.73 +/- 0.30. The mean baseline P-50 amplitude of PERG before intravitreal injection was 1.5 +/- 0.9 μ V. After the treatment, it was 2.1 +/- 1.1 μ V at 1-month, 2.4 +/- 1.0 μ V at 3-month and 2.1 +/- 0.9 μ V at last visit and the differences were significant when compared with baseline values (for each, p < 0.001). Temporary increases in intraocular pressures were controlled with topical antiglaucomatous medications, if required. Conclusion: IVT injection provides rapid improvement in visual acuity of diabetic patients with CSME that has been supported by P-50 amplitudes of PERG. P-50 amplitudes of PERG may be used as novel predictive value in the evaluation of the effectiveness of IVT injection.