A pilot study of intravitreal diclofenac versus intravitreal triamcinolone for uveitic cystoid macular edema

To compare the effect of intravitreal diclofenac (IVD) versus intravitreal triamcinolone (IVT) on refractory uveitic cystoid macular edema (CME).

In this pilot randomized clinical trial, 15 eyes were randomly assigned to an IVD group, patients (8 eyes) who received a single intravitreal injection of diclofenac (500 μg/0.1 mL), and an IVT group (7 eyes), cases who received a single intravitreal injection of triamcinolone (2 mg). Change in best-corrected VA in logMAR at week 36 was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcomes included changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 12 and 24 weeks, central macular thickness (CMT), macular leakage, and potential injection-related complications.

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, and 36 weeks compared to 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 logMAR at 12, 24, and 36 weeks, respectively. Mean CMT reduction diminished also significantly only in the IVT group. Nevertheless, comparing the mean BCVA and CMT 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.

This pilot study demonstrated the superiority of IVT over IVD in the treatment of refractory uveitic CME regarding both functional and anatomical outcomes. Further studies are warranted to confirm potential benefit of IVD observed in this study.