Anatomical changes after suprachoroidal triamcinolone acetonide in patients with diabetic macular edema.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate average change in central macular thickness (CMT) and central subfield thickness (CST) in patients with DME following suprachoroidal triamcinolone acetonide injection. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Setting: LRBT, Lahore. Period: June 2025 to December 2025. Methods: Included were 135 patients with DME diagnoses. OCT was used to measure baseline CST and CMT. At four weeks, a follow-up evaluation was conducted. Results: The mean age of patients was 58.9 ± 6.4 years, with the majority being males.  5.5 ± 2.1 years was the average duration of diabetes. The mean baseline CST was 468.90 ± 25.10 µm, which significantly reduced to 293.10 ± 9.20 µm at four weeks (mean reduction 175.80 ± 16.20 µm; p < 0.001). Similarly, the mean baseline CMT decreased from 470.20 ± 24.80 µm to 294.00 ± 10.10 µm (mean reduction 176.20 ± 15.90 µm; p < 0.001). Stratification analysis showed that age and duration of diabetes significantly influenced anatomical response (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The central subfield thickness and central macular thickness were statistically reduced in diabetic macular edema patients four weeks after suprachoroidal triamcinolone acetonide injection. The outcomes suggest that SCTA is an effective method of treatment to achieve short-term morphological change, particularly in elderly patients and those with chronic diabetes.