Intravitreal triamcinolone for the treatment of ischemic macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) for ischemic macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and foveal ischemia.


METHODS
Prospective interventional case series.


METHODS
setting: Clinical practice. study population: Eighteen eyes of 18 patients with macular edema associated with BRVO and foveal ischemia. intervention: Four mg IVTA. main outcome measures: Visual acuity (VA), optical coherence tomography, macular thickness measurements, and treatment-related complications.


RESULTS
The mean duration of BRVO before treatment was 14 months. All patients were followed for a minimum of nine months, and 12 patients completed 12 months follow-up. The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) VA improved significantly from 0.81 +/- 0.36 at baseline to 0.65 +/- 0.30 at one month (P = .03) but did not vary significantly from baseline at three, six, nine, and 12 months. Macular thickness improved significantly in all eyes from a mean of 400 +/- 134 mum preinjection, to 228 +/- 58 mum at one month (P < .01) and 256 +/- 121 mum at three months (P < .01) but did not vary significantly from baseline at six, nine, and 12 months. Eight eyes developed posterior subcapsular cataract, intraocular pressure (IOP) exceeded 21 mm Hg in four eyes, and two eyes developed vitreomacular traction during follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
IVTA is effective in reducing ischemic macular edema associated with BRVO and foveal capillary nonperfusion. This reduction is often associated with a temporary improvement in VA. Raised IOP and development of posterior subcapsular cataract are disadvantages of this treatment.
Chen
Simon D M
SD
Oxford Eye Hospital, Woodstock Road, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Sundaram
Venki
V
Lochhead
Jonathan
J
Patel
C K
CK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D007511:Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000150:complications*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014822:Vitreous Body
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide