AIM: To evaluate the clinical effect and safety for diabetic macular edema(DME)with triamcinolone acetonide(TA)by intravitreous injection and retrobulbar injection combined with macular grid laser photocoagulation.

METHODS: Fifty-two patients(sixty-two eyes)with DME were randomly divided into two groups: thirty-one eyes were treated with an intravitreous injection of triamcinolone acetonide(IVTA)(0.1mL/4mg), and thirty- one eyes were treated with a retrobulbar injection of triamcinolone acetonide(RBTA)(1mL/40mg). Macular grid laser photocoagulation was used to treat all of the patients after one month. Follow-up 9mo, the change of macular edema and the incidence of complications were observed and measured.

RESULTS: For the different follow-up times at one month, three months, six months and nine months. Best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and the change in macular edema of all patients improved after treatment. There were statistically differences between before treatment and after treatment in the change of BCVA and macular edema(P<0.05). But there was no statistically difference between the two groups(P>0.05). The difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups showed a statistically difference(P<0.05), RBTA group was safer.

CONCLUSION: RBTA combined with grid laser photocoagulation for DME has the same effect as IVTA, and it is safer.