One-year safety and efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for the management of macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion

Retina. 2006 Oct;26(8):889-95. doi: 10.1097/01.iae.0000237111.82357.30.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) as treatment for macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of data for 40 consecutive patients (40 eyes) with CRVO and macular edema treated with IVTA at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (Miami, FL).

Results: Median duration of symptoms before the first injection was 3 months (range, 1 day to 8 years). Median Snellen visual acuity was 20/400 at baseline (range, 20/60 to light perception; n = 40), 20/300 at 1 month (P = 0.010; n = 37), 20/300 at 3 months (P = 0.007; n = 33), 20/400 at 6 months (P = 0.726; n = 28), and 8/200 at 1 year (P = 0.569; n = 17). Vision improved by > or =3 lines in 21% of eyes at 1 month, 27% at 3 months, 14% at 6 months, and 12% at 1 year. Visual acuity was unchanged from baseline in 71% of eyes at 6 months and 1 year. By 1 year, 50% of eyes received more than one injection (mean = 1.6 injections; range 1-4 injections). Overall, intraocular pressure increased by > or =10 mmHg in 24% of eyes at 1 year. Trabeculectomy was performed on 2 of 12 eyes with preexisting open-angle glaucoma.

Conclusion: IVTA can substantially improve vision in some patients, but most patients have stable visual acuity compared with baseline at 1 year despite repeated injections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / chemically induced
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / surgery
  • Glucocorticoids / adverse effects
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Injections
  • Intraocular Pressure / drug effects
  • Macular Edema / diagnosis
  • Macular Edema / drug therapy*
  • Macular Edema / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / complications
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / diagnosis
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / drug therapy*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Trabeculectomy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Triamcinolone Acetonide / adverse effects
  • Triamcinolone Acetonide / therapeutic use*
  • Visual Acuity / drug effects
  • Vitreous Body

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Triamcinolone Acetonide