Increased incidence of sterile endophthalmitis after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in spring 2006.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the incidence of sterile endophthalmitis after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injections during a 6 month period in 2006 to the same period in 2005 and determine the incidence after switching to intravitreal preservative-free triamcinolone acetonide.


METHODS
Retrospective multicenter interventional case series in which patients receiving intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide at three institutions from March 2005 to August 2005 and from March 2006 to August 2006 and intravitreal preservative-free triamcinolone acetonide from late summer 2006 through February 2007 were reviewed for the development of sterile endophthalmitis.


RESULTS
From March 2005 to August 2005, the rate of sterile endophthalmitis was 0% at all institutions. From March 2006 to August 2006, a statistically significant increase in sterile endophthalmitis was seen at all institutions with frequencies of 3.5% to 6.3% (P < 0.001). With transition to preservative-free triamcinolone acetonide, sterile endophthalmitis over the next 6 months decreased to 0% at two sites and to 2.5% (from 5.5%) at the third institution (P < 0.009).


CONCLUSIONS
A statistically significant increase in the rate of sterile endophthalmitis after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide was seen in a 6 month period in 2006 when compared with the same period in 2005. Transition to preservative-free triamcinolone acetonide produced a frequency of sterile endophthalmitis similar to 2005.
Stepien
Kimberly E
KE
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, USA.
Eaton
Alexander M
AM
Jaffe
Glenn J
GJ
Davis
Janet L
JL
Raja
Junaid
J
Feuer
William
W
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014822:Vitreous Body
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide