INTRAVITREAL DICLOFENAC VERSUS INTRAVITREAL TRIAMCINOLONE FOR THE TREATMENT OF UVEITIC CYSTOID MACULAR EDEMA

PURPOSE:: To compare the effect of intravitreal diclofenac (IVD) versus intravitreal triamcinolone (IVT) on refractory uveitic cystoid macular edema. METHODS:: In this pilot, randomized, clinical trial, 15 eyes were randomly assigned to IVD group, patients (8 eyes) who received a single intravitreal injection of diclofenac (500 μg/0.1 mL), and IVT group (7 eyes) patients who received a single intravitreal injection of triamcinolone (2 mg). Change in best-corrected visual acuity in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution at Week 36 was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcomes included changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 12 weeks and 24 weeks, central macular thickness, macular leakage, and potential injection-related complications. RESULTS:: In the IVD group, BCVA was more than the baseline values in 4 eyes at 36 weeks; however, within-group analysis disclosed no statistically significant changes in the mean BCVA in this group. Nonetheless, in the IVT group, mean BCVA improved significantly at 12, 24, but not at 36 weeks compared with the baseline values. It was 0.86 ± 0.37 at baseline and 0.63 ± 0.48, 0.62 ± 0.42, and 0.43 ± 0.49 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution at 12, 24, and 36 weeks, respectively. Mean central macular thickness diminished also significantly only in the IVT group. Nevertheless, comparing the mean BCVA and central macular thickness changes, macular leakage, and the occurrence of any injection-related complications, no significant difference was observed between the groups at any of the follow-up visits. CONCLUSION:: This pilot study demonstrated the superiority of IVT over IVD in the treatment of refractory uveitic cystoid macular edema regarding both functional and anatomical outcomes. Further studies are warranted to confirm potential benefit of IVD observed in this study.