Purpose: To describe a crystalline retinopathy observed in patients greater than 1 year after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA).
Methods: A retrospective, interventional, noncomparative, single-center case series of patients who received IVTA and developed subsequent crystalline retinopathy lasting greater than 1 year after injection.
Results: Eighteen eyes of 16 patients in which preretinal crystals were observed >1 year after IVTA were included in the study, with a mean follow-up (range) of 5.8 years (1.1-9.2) after IVTA. The crystals were refractile, not visible on fluorescein nor indocyanine green angiography, exhibited slow dissolution and movement, and were occasionally distributed in a circular fashion. Optical coherence tomography confirmed the preretinal and/or subhyaloid location of crystals.
Conclusion: Macular crystals can persist for years after IVTA. The crystals localize to the preretinal or subhyaloid space, are angiographically silent, can exhibit slow dissolution and movement, may be distributed in a circular fashion reflecting the bursa premacularis, and appear nonpathologic.