Cytokine Levels in Patients With Persistent Diabetic Macular Edema Treated With Triamcinolone Acetonide

Summary

Diabetic macular edema refers to swelling (fluid accumulation) in the center of the retina. The retina is like the film of a camera and is located in the back of the eye. This condition can develop in diabetics where swelling results from leaking of fluid from the blood vessels of the eye, into the center of the retina, the macula. If left untreated, this can affect central vision. The current standard treatment for diabetic macular edema includes medications injected directly into the eye (intravitreal injections) and laser eye treatment. The drugs that are injected directly into the eye are known as anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (anti-VEGF) agents which help to reduce the leaking. This includes bevacizumab (Avastin®) and ranibizumab (Lucentis®). However, some patients do not respond well to these anti-VEGF treatments will be given the option of switching to an another class of medications, called steroids. Triamcinolone acetonide is one of these steroids and is also injected directly into the eye. These steroids will help reduce inflammation and possibly as a consequence, reduce swelling in the eye. The purpose of this study is to determine what cellular factors affect a patient's treatment response (amount of swelling reduction) following triamcinolone acetonide intravitreal injections for diabetic macular edema.

Timeline

Start

2015-09

Primary completion

2016-12

Completion

2016-12

Drugs

Indications