Outcome of intravitreal triamcinolone in uveitis.
OBJECTIVE
To report the short-term outcome of intravitreal triamcinolone acetate (TA) in the treatment of uveitic cystoid macular edema (CME).


METHODS
Retrospective noncomparative (nonrandomized, uncontrolled) interventional case series.


METHODS
Sixty-five eyes of 54 patients with uveitis-related CME inadequately responsive to treatment combinations of oral corticosteroid, periocular orbital floor corticosteroid injections, and second-line immunosuppressive agents.


METHODS
Intravitreal injection of 4 mg/0.1 ml of TA.


METHODS
Visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), levels of inflammation, and immunosuppressive therapy were assessed. Other potential complications, including cataract progression, vitreous hemorrhage, endophthalmitis, and retinal detachment (RD), were looked for.


RESULTS
The mean follow-up was 8.0 months (range, 3-51), and the mean improvement of VA after intravitreal TA was 0.26 (from 0.65 to 0.39 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution; Snellen, 6/24-6/12, approximately). This occurred at a mean of 4 weeks (range, 1-30). The improvement in VA was more significant if the duration of CME before intravitreal TA was < or =12 months (P = 0.006) and if patients were < or =60 years old (P = 0.005). Patients with the worst vision before treatment also improved the least. The most important side effect was raised IOP (mean rise, 10.3 mmHg), with 28 eyes (43.1%) experiencing an IOP rise of >10 mmHg. Patients younger than 40 years were more likely to experience this IOP rise than those older than 40. Thirty-three eyes (51%) were treated with antiglaucoma medications, with a mean duration of treatment of 17.4+/-13.3 weeks, and no patient required trabeculectomy or lost vision. The dosage of oral corticosteroids and/or second-line immunosuppressive medication was reduced or stopped altogether in 18 of 33 eyes (54.5%) during the study period. There were no cases of injection-related vitreous hemorrhage, endophthalmitis, or RD.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with uveitic CME, intravitreal TA can effectively reduce CME and improve VA and, in some eyes, allows the cessation and/or reduction of immunosuppressive therapy. The period of effectivity varies in different patients and, in some eyes, is limited. Treatment was associated in 43.1% with a rise in IOP, which was transient and treatable medically.
Kok
Howesen
H
Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Lau
Chun
C
Maycock
Nicholas
N
McCluskey
Peter
P
Lightman
Susan
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002386:Cataract / Q000503:physiopathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014605:Uveitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014822:Vitreous Body; D014823:Vitreous Hemorrhage / Q000503:physiopathology
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide