Ocular-hypertensive response and corneal endothelial changes after intravitreal triamcinolone injections in Chinese subjects: a 6-month follow-up study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the intraocular pressure (IOP) and corneal endothelial changes, over a 6-month period, after a single injection of intravitreal triamcinolone (ivTA) in Chinese patients.


METHODS
A total of 43 eyes of 43 consecutive Chinese patients with various macular diseases received a single bolus injection of 4 mg ivTA, of which, 14 eyes with significant cataracts underwent simultaneous phacoemulsification and primary intraocular lens implantation. IOP was measured preoperatively and weekly in the first month, and then monthly until 6 months postinjection. Specular microscopy was performed on 24 of the 29 eyes without simultaneous cataract surgery, preoperatively and at months 1, 3, and 6.


RESULTS
All patients completed 6 months of follow-up. Nine out of 43 (20.9%) eyes had IOP >21 mmHg. Their mean maximum IOP was 29.2 mmHg (range 23.0-37.0), necessitating the use of 2.0 types of topical antiglaucomatous medications on average. The IOP elevation occurred at a mean of 5.2 weeks (range 1-17) postinjection. All IOPs returned to normal, without additional antiglaucomatous medications, by 6 months. There was no statistically significant difference (paired t-test, P<0.05) in the corneal endothelial cell count and other specular microscopy parameters up to 6 months after the injections.


CONCLUSIONS
A single 4 mg bolus injection of ivTA appeared to have no harmful effects on the corneal endothelium. IvTA caused transient IOP elevations in 20.9% of Chinese patients, similar to that observed in Caucasians. As the IOP rise can occur as early as 1 week after the injection, early monitoring will help its early detection and prevent optic nerve damage.
Chan
C K M
CK
Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Fan
D S P
DS
Chan
Wai-man
WM
Lai
W W
WW
Lee
V Y W
VY
Lam
D S C
DS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D002681:China; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014221:Triamcinolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014822:Vitreous Body
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D014221:Triamcinolone