Triamcinolone-assisted removal of internal limiting membrane enhances the effect of vitrectomy for diabetic macular edema

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling during vitrectomy to treat diabetic macular edema (DME).

Methods: In this nonrandomized study, we retrospectively analyzed the medical charts of 107 eyes that had undergone three-port vitrectomy to treat DME. The ILM was peeled in 65 eyes and not peeled in 42 eyes (ILM ON group). Indocyanine green (ICG) was used on 36 eyes (ICG group) and triamcinolone acetonide (TA) on 29 eyes (TA group) to make the ILM more visible.

Results: In all groups, the mean foveal thickness was significantly decreased after surgery. Visual acuity (VA) improved gradually after the surgery and was significantly better than the preoperative VA at 6 months in the ICG group and at 3 months in the TA group. Compared with the ILM ON group eyes, the eyes in the TA group had significantly better improvement of VA.

Conclusion: TA-assisted ILM peeling may improve the VA outcome to treat DME.