[Treatment of Graves macular edema with intravitreal injection of corticosteroids].
OBJECTIVE
To determine if intravitreal injection of triamcinolone is an effective option in treating severe macular oedema unresponsive to other treatments.


METHODS
Fifteen eyes with severe macular oedema of long duration (9-30 months) were offered intravitreal injection of 4 mg triamcinolone. The visual acuity and anatomic responses were monitored with pre- and postoperative fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT).


RESULTS
The minimal follow-up was 3 months (mean = 6 months). The central macular thickness evaluated by OCT decreased by 50%. This beneficial effect was correlated with a significant improvement in visual acuity. Ten of 15 patients (66%) improved their visual acuity by more than two Snellen lines. We could observe a significant increase in intraocular pressure (mean = 15%) due to corticosteroid medication. No injection-related complication occurred. One patient had to be retreated after 3 months due to recurrence of macular oedema.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal triamcinolone is a promising therapeutic option for severe macular oedema. Further study is warranted to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety, as well as the need for retreatment.
Rakic
J M
JM
Service d'Ophtalmologie, CHU Sart-Tilman, Université de Liège, Belgique. jmrakic@chu.ulg.ac.be
Zelinkova
M
M
Comhaire-Poutchinian
Y
Y
Galand
A
A
Duchateau
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014221:Triamcinolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014792:Visual Acuity
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014221:Triamcinolone