Evaluation of intravitreal corticosteroids as an adjuvant to bevacizumab for diabetic macular edema using electroretinogram

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate electroretinogram changes after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab with or without adjuvant intravitreal corticosteroids for diabetic macular edema. Patients and methods This prospective randomized study evaluated multifocal electroretinogram (MFERG) changes in 60 eyes of 45 diabetic patients who had clinically significant macular edema after treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) with or without corticosteroids. Preoperative and postoperative clinical examination, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and MFERG were carried out for all cases. The patients were divided into three groups and each group included 20 eyes. The first group was treated with IVB injection alone, the second group was treated with IVB and triamcinolon injection, and the third group was treated with IVB and dexamathosone. The follow-up was carried out up to 3 months. Results The mean visual acuity improved in the three groups, and the mean foveal thickness was reduced in the three groups. As regards MFERG-C, P1 amplitudes increased and P1 peak time (ms) was shortened in the three groups. Intraocular pressure rise occurred in 10% of cases in the second group and in 5% of cases of the third group. Conclusion Diabetic macular edema can be treated with bevacizumab alone, as the use of adjuvant corticosteroids has many complications.

Keywords

• bevacizumb
• diabetic macular edema
• electroretinogram
• intravitreal corticosteroids