Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for macular oedema owing to retinal vein occlusion.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the long-term safety and efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection in the management of macular oedema caused by central, hemi-, and branch retinal vein occlusion (CRVO, HRVO, or BRVO).


METHODS
This prospective, interventional case series included 13 patients (13 eyes) with retinal vein occlusion and macular oedema. They received an intravitreal injection of 4 mg triamcinolone acetonide. Follow-up was for 1 year with repeat injections where appropriate. Outcome measures were visual acuity and macular thickness measured using ocular coherence tomography (OCT).


RESULTS
There were four patients with CRVO, one with HRVO, and eight with BRVO (13 eyes). Mean duration of symptoms before intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection was 6.8 months (SD 4.5 months). Eight eyes (62%) responded well with improved visual acuity and macular thickness 1-3 months postinjection. All eight eyes developed recurrent macular oedema and five received repeat injections. Three patients declined a second injection. No improvement in visual acuity or OCT macular thickness was seen after the second injection with visual acuity returning to baseline levels at 1-year follow-up. Three eyes (23%) showed no response to the initial injection (no improvement in macular thickness or visual acuity). Seven patients (54%) had a rise in intraocular pressure with six (46%) requiring treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide is effective as a short-term treatment of macular oedema owing to retinal vein occlusion, improving both visual acuity and macular thickness. However, this effectiveness is not maintained after 1 year despite repeat injections.
Patel
P J
PJ
Department of Ophthalmology, Southend Hospital NHS Trust, Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff-On-Sea, Southend, Essex, UK.
Zaheer
I
I
Karia
N
N
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000379:methods; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide