Biochemical quantification of triamcinolone in subconjunctival depots.
OBJECTIVE
To biochemically quantify the amount of active triamcinolone acetonide remaining after subconjunctival administration and to assess the effectiveness of surgical management for glaucoma induced by triamcinolone.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
Seven eyes of seven patients whose ages ranged from 47 to 84 years underwent excision of depot triamcinolone. Six of seven eyes required surgical intervention for medically unresponsive intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation.


RESULTS
Pharmacologically active triamcinolone was identified up to 13 months following injection (range, 3 to 13 months). The mean amount in the excised sample was 5.4 mg (range, 2.0 to 8.8 mg), and the mean percentage of the original sample remaining was 20% (range, 4.2% to 44%). Glaucoma was diagnosed a mean of 3 months after injection (range, 1 to 6 months). Mean IOP was 37 mm Hg before excision and 16 mm Hg after removal. Surgical excision of visible triamcinolone normalized IOP in six of seven patients without need for glaucoma medications.


CONCLUSIONS
Periocular injection of triamcinolone necessitates careful monitoring of IOP. Medically unresponsive IOP elevation may occur as late as 6 months following periocular triamcinolone injection. Surgical excision of remaining triamcinolone depot is an effective therapy for IOP elevation. Guidelines for safely using triamcinolone are discussed.
Kalina
P H
PH
Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Ariz, USA.
Erie
J C
JC
Rosenbaum
L
L
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide