HEIDELBERG, Germany -- A new study finds an injection of a corticosteroid may be beneficial for diabetics with macular edema. Diabetic macular edema is one of the main reasons for vision problems in diabetics.
The standard treatment for diabetic macular edema has been laser treatment, but researchers from Germany conducted a study comparing this treatment to the use of a corticosteroid injection.
The study included 20 patients who received an injection of triamcinolone acetonide to treat their macular edema. The study also included a group of 16 patients who underwent the standard laser treatment for macular edema. The participants were followed for six months. Researchers compared the two groups for improvements in vision.
Researchers found the participants who received the injection had significant improvement in their vision. Specifically, 81 percent of the patients reported improved clearness and sharpness in their vision. In the patients who received the laser treatment, their vision did not appear to change. Researchers also say none of the patients reported any major side effects.
The study concludes an injection of triamcinolone acetonide may be beneficial in improving vision in patients with diabetic macular edema. However, researchers say larger studies are needed to confirm these results.
Source: Ivanhoe Newswire: Archives of Ophthalmology, 2003;121:57-61.
January 2003 News Article Index
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