Intravitreal triamcinolone will cause posterior subcapsular cataract in most eyes with diabetic maculopathy within 2 years.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of cataract following intravitreal triamcinolone (IVTA) for diabetic macular oedema.


METHODS
Prospective, non-randomised, interventional cohort case series. A total of 27 eyes of 27 patients with diabetic macular oedema received an intravitreal injection of 4 mg (0.1 ml) of triamcinolone acetonide inferotemporally through the pars plana under direct vision. In 20 patients the fellow eye served as control, whereas seven patients had both eyes injected (not simultaneously). Seven patients had a repeat (second) injection in the same eye. The main outcome measures were cataract and intraocular pressure (IOP) rise of at least 5 mmHg (IOP responder).


RESULTS
The mean follow-up time was 18.9 months (range 13-29 months). A total of 22 (81%) of 27 eyes developed cataract during the follow-up period, of which 20 (74%) were posterior subcapsular in nature. None of the 20 uninjected fellow eyes developed posterior subcapsular cataract. Mean time to cataract formation was 16.2 months. In the seven patients who had both eyes injected, mean time to cataract formation was 16.5 and 17.1 months in the first and second eye, respectively. Mean time to cataract formation in seven eyes receiving a repeat second injection was 17.9 months. There was no significant difference in cataract formation between IOP responders (85%) and non-responders (79%) (P=1.00, Fisher's exact test). Uneventful cataract surgery was performed in six eyes of five patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that given appropriate long-term follow-up, the majority of patients, even after a single IVTA injection, will go on to develop cataract, of which posterior subcapsular will be by far the most common.
Islam
M S
MS
Directorate of Ophthalmology, Queen's Medical Centre, University Hospital NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK. msislam@doctors.org.uk
Vernon
S A
SA
Negi
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014822:Vitreous Body
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide