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BACKGROUND Macular oedema is a major cause for visual impairment in many posterior segment conditions like diabetic macular oedema, branch retinal vein occlusions, posterior uveitis and pseudophakic CMO. The failure of laser photocoagulation in improving visual acuity and reducing macular oedema has prompted interest in other treatment methods. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide for patients presenting with macular oedema. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty eyes of 40 patients with ME from BRVO and DR were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent complete ophthalmic examinations including BCVA and OCT measurements of CMT. All patients received intravitreal injection of 4 mg triamcinolone acetonide. The change in BCVA and reduction in CMT were assessed. Intraocular pressure spikes and other complications were noted. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPS software. RESULTS The mean age of included patients (19 males, 21 females) was 57.5 ± 8 years (41-70 years). The mean follow-up period was 4 months. The mean baseline BCVA of patients in Logarithm of Minimal Angle of Resolution (LogMAR) before intravitreal triamcinolone injection was 0.966 ± 0.37. After treatment, it was 0.358 ± 0.33 at 1 month, 0.397 ± 0.33 at fourth month and the differences were statistically significant when compared with baseline values (P<0.001). The mean CMT at baseline was 466.98 ± 126.32 µm and it significantly decreased to 272.10 ± 56.03 µm at 1 month, 309.38 ± 134.55 at 3 month (P<0.001). Postoperative complications noted included acute traumatic cataract, raised IOP, progression of cataract and sterile endophthalmitis. CONCLUSION Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide is effective in reducing foveal thickness and improving visual acuity in the short term. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of this treatment.

We tried to determine the epidemiology and species of human dirofilariasis observed at two tertiary care hospitals in Kerala. We searched the hospital database to identify cases of dirofilariosis from January 2005 to March 2020. Along with human isolates, one dog Dirofilaria isolate was also subjected to PCR and sequencing of pan filarial primers cytochrome oxidase subunits 1 and 12S rDNA. We documented 78 cases of human dirofilariosis. The orbit, eyelid, and conjunctiva were the most commonly affected sites. Molecular characterization identified one dog and five human isolates as Candidatus Dirofilaria Hongkongensis. A rare case of subconjunctival infestation by B. malayi was also documented. Human dirofilariosis is a public health problem in the state of Kerala in India, and it is mostly caused by Candidatus Dirofilaria Hongkongensis. We propose that all diroifilaria isolates are subjected to sequencing for identification.