AIM: To compare the efficiency of different dose of intravitreous injection combined with laser photocoagulation in patients with macular edema(ME).

METHODS: Prospective research. Eighty-four of 54 patients with macular edema were randomized into 2mg group and 4mg group. Eyes were subjected to laser photocoagulation from 2 to 4wk after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide. At 1mo, 3mo, 6mo after treatment follow up, the corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness(CMT)and development of any side effects was measured between the 2mg group and 4mg group.

RESULTS: The vision was obviously improved and the CMT values were reduced after injection compared with before injection in both two groups(P<0.01)and no evident differences were seen in vision at various time points between two groups(P>0.05). There was no difference in the happening to the side effects between two groups.

CONCLUSION: This study suggests that both 2mg and 4mg intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide combined with laser photocoagulation appears to have an effect on visual improvement, decreasing retinal thickness. Group of 2mg represents a relatively safe treatment of macular edema. It is an attempt to use 2mg triamcinolone acetonide to replace 4mg triamcinolone acetonide in macular edema.