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Intravitreal Triamcinolone May Slow Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy CHICAGO -- December 14, 2009 -- Injecting the corticosteroid triamcinolone into the eye may slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy, according to a study published in the December issue of Archives of Ophthalmology. Neil M. Bressler, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, and colleagues in the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network conducted a study involving 840 eyes of 693 participants who had macular oedema. Eyes were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 3 treatments: photocoagulation or a 1-mg or 4-mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide directly into the eye as often as every 4 months. After 2 years, retinopathy had progressed in 31% of 330 eyes treated with photocoagulation, in 29% of 256 eyes treated with triamcinolone acetonide 1 mg, and in 21% of 254 eyes treated with the 4-mg dose. These differences appeared to be sustained at 3 years, even though most eyes in the triamcinolone groups did not receive injections every 4 months during the second year and less than half received any injections in the third year. Corticosteroids have been shown to interfere with the creation of new blood vessels, possibly by reducing the production of compounds that spur their growth, the authors noted. However, steroids are also associated with other eye diseases. “Use of this intravitreal corticosteroid preparation to reduce the likelihood of progression of retinopathy is not warranted at this time because of the increased risk of glaucoma and cataract associated with intravitreal steroid use,” the authors wrote. “Any treatment to be used routinely to prevent proliferative diabetic retinopathy likely needs to be relatively safe because the condition already can be treated successfully and safely with panretinal photocoagulation. Nevertheless, further investigation with regard to the role of pharmacotherapy for reduction of the incidence of progression of retinopathy appears to be warranted.” SOURCE: Archives of Ophthalmology E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version