Triamcinolone Intravitreal Injection and Intraocular Pressure in Macular Edema Associated with Retinal Vein Occlusion

 Purpose: To study the risk factors of increased intraocular pressure (IOP) response to triamcinolone acetonide intravitreal (IVTA) injection in eyes with macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion. Methods: Eighty-nine eyes with macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion first received periocular injection of 40 mg triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and were followed for one month. According to the diversity of IOP after periocular TA (PTA) injection, they were divided into the elevation IOP group (group A, 26 eyes) and the normal IOP group (group B, 63 eyes). They then received 4 mg TA intravitreal injection. IOP measurements were recorded after PTA and IVTA injections, and were followed for six months. Results: Both PTA and IVTA injections caused a rise in IOP, but it was higher in the IVTA injection (40.45%) than in the PTA injection (29.21%). The mean rise in IOP was more significant in eyes with IVTA injection (28.08 ± 8.24 mmHg) than in eyes with PTA injection (20.87 ± 4.07 mmHg). Patients with an elevation IOP above 6 mmHg after PTA injection had a 73.08% chance of developing a pressure of 24 mmHg or higher, whereas only 12.70% of those with an elevation IOP below 6 mmHg after PTA injection experienced pressure elevation. Conclusion: IOP response to PTA injection is a good way to judge IOP response to IVTA. If the patient is highly sensitive to corticosteroid, treatments other than IVTA injection are used to avoid the increased risks associated with intravitreal corticosteroid injection.     

Intraocular pressure elevation after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection

PURPOSE: This study investigated firstly the change of intraocular pressure (IOP) after injection of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) for the treatment of macular edema and secondly the factors that influence these changes. METHODS: A prospective, non-comparative study was performed in 60 patients at Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital from October 2003 to September 2004. All the patients received 4-mg IVTA injection. RESULTS: Mean IOP was elevated from the day after injection and peaked at 20.5 mmHg after 2 months (p=0.000). Twenty-six eyes (43.3%) showed significant IOP elevation. IOP was not controlled despite full glaucoma medication in 7 (11.7%) eyes. Two eyes underwent filtering surgery. Younger age was a statistically significant predictive factor for IOP elevation (p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, patients who needed filtering surgery developed an IOP spike within one week after the injection. Therefore, clinicians should consider checking IOP at the end of the first week. Furthermore, greater cautions is mandatory with relatively younger patients.     

Ocular morbidity associated with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide

AIM: To report on the complications associated with the use of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) in a tertiary referral hospital setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective case series review of all IVTA injections carried out over a period of 30 months. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty IVTA injections were performed; nine with limited local follow-up were excluded. Thus, 121 injections (108 patients, 114 eyes) were included in the study. Triamcinolone (4 mg) was used in all cases. Indications were diabetic macular oedema (n=41 eyes), retinal vein occlusions (n=27), postoperative cystoid macular oedema (n=24), exudative age-related macular degeneration (n=16), and others (n=6). No intraoperative complications were recorded. Postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) readings of 22, 28, 35, and 40 mmHg or higher were recorded in 46.5, 29.8, 12.3, and 7.9% of eyes, respectively. IOP elevation was treated with antiglaucoma medication in all but one eye (0.9%) that required trabeculectomy and one (0.9%) that required vitrectomy with cataract extraction for suspected phacoanaphylactic glaucoma. Two eyes (1.8%) developed retinal detachment; both had previously been treated for retinal breaks. One eye (0.9%) developed culture-positive endophthalmitis. Conclusions: Significant morbidity is associated with IVTA injection; clinicians should be aware when considering treatment options.     

玻璃体腔注射曲安奈德治疗黄斑水肿的眼压变化

目的:研究玻璃体腔注射4mg曲安奈德(IVTA)治疗黄斑水肿后的眼压(IOP)变化及其相关因素。方法:本研究为回顾性、连续性及非对照病例序列研究。包括93眼黄斑水肿患者,病因分别为视网膜静脉阻塞(54眼)和糖尿病视网膜病变(39眼),都接受了4mgIVTA注射。所有病例均在注射前和注射后14d,1,2,3,4,5,6mo随访眼压变化。并分析基础IOP,病因,年龄和性别与眼压的相关性。结果:注射后14dIOP显著升高(16.02±2.45mmHg,P<0.001),注射后2mo达到高峰(18.80±6.20mmHg,P<0.001)。注射后14d有2眼眼压超高21mmHg(2.2%),术后1,2,3,4,5,6mo分别是14(15.1%),18(19.5%),9(9.6%),4(4.3%),0,0。注射后14d有1眼(0.01%)眼压较基础眼压升高超过5mmHg,术后2mo达到高峰,为22眼(23.7%)。注射后1mo有5眼(5.3%)眼压升高10mmHg,2mo最高为12眼(12.9%)。IOP升高和年龄(相关系数-0.18～-0.29,P<0.05),基础眼压(相关系数0.52～0.79,P<0.001)及糖尿病(相关系数0.23,P<0.001)显著相关,但与性别无相关性(相关系数-0.002～0.04,P>0.05)。所有患眼的IOP均能通过局部降眼压药物控制到正常,没有1例发生青光眼性视神经病变。结论:4mgIVTA注射后眼压升高是很普遍的现象,注射后应该至少随访观察6mo以上。所有患眼的高眼压均能通过局部降眼压药物得到控制。对于基础眼压较高,糖尿病视网膜病变及年轻患者更应该关注注射后的眼压变化。     

Changes of intraocular pressure after intravitreal injection of 4mg triamcinolone acetonide in treatment of macular edema

AIM: To investigate the changes of intraocular pressure (IOP) and associated factors of IOP elevation after 4mg intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) in treatment of macular edema. ·METHODS: The study is prospective, consecutive, and non-comparative interventional case series including 93 eyes with macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion ( =54 eyes) or diabetic retinopathy ( =39 eyes), which received 4mg IVTA injection. The change in IOP was followed for all cases at pre-operation and 14 days, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months post-operation. Associated factors of IOP elevation were examined regarding baseline IOP, causal disease, age and gender. ·RESULTS: IOP increased significantly ( <0.001) at 14 days 16.02 ± 2.45mmHg after injection and peaked at 18.80 ± 6.20mmHg at 2 months post-injection ( <0.001) from 14.85± 2.55 mmHg preoperatively. An IOP rise to the value higher than 21mmHg was observed in 2 (2.2%) eyes 14 days after injection and which was observed in 14 (15.1%), 18 (19.5%), 9(9.6%), 4(4.3%), 0, and 0 eyes respectively at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months after injection. One eye (1.07%) showed pressure elevation of over 5mmHg than baseline 14 days after injection and IOP peaked to 22mmHg (23.7%) at 2 months after injection. Five (5.3%) eyes had an increase of 10mmHg at 1 month and IOP peaked to 12mmHg (12.9%) at 2 months after injection. The rise in IOP was statistically associated with younger age (correlation coefficient -0.18- -0.29, <0.05), high baseline IOP (correlation coefficient 0.52-0.79, all <0.001), and the presence of diabetes mellitus (correlation coefficient 0.23, <0.001) but independent of gender (correlation coefficient -0.002-0.04, all >0.05). In all eyes, IOP could be lowered to the normal range with topical medication, without development of glaucomatous optic nerve head changes. ·CONCLUSION: Elevated IOP after 4mg IVTA injection is common and patients should be monitored beyond 6 months post-injection. In all the cases, IOP can be normalized by topical medication. Patients with high baseline IOP, diabetic retinopathy, and younger age should be carefully monitored for an elevated IOP.     

Efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone for the treatment of macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion in eyes with or without grid laser photocoagulation

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of primary and secondary (following grid laser photocoagulation) intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) injection for the treatment of macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: Eyes with macular edema secondary to BRVO and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) worse than 20/40 were included. Eyes eligible for Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion Study (BVOS) guidelines received grid laser treatment first. Those that were not improved at least two lines following grid laser or that did not meet those guidelines received 4 mg IVTA injection. The efficacy of IVTA treatment was assessed by analyzing the change in BCVA and reduction in central macular thickness (CMT) measured by optical coherence tomography. Intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes and other complications were recorded. RESULTS: The data from 37 eyes were included; in 12 of them IVTA injection was given after grid laser while 25 of them received IVTA as a primary treatment. Mean follow-up was 9.6 +/- 4.5 months. BCVA was 0.06 +/- 0.30 and 0.17 +/- 0.50 in the primary and secondary IVTA injection groups, respectively. In the primary injection group, there was a statistically significant gain in BCVA throughout the follow-up (P < 0.05), while a small increase in BCVA was noted only at the third month visit in the secondary IVTA injection group (P = 0.04). Average CMT were 434.8 +/- 122.1microm and 389.0 +/- 171.9 microm before IVTA injection in the two groups, respectively. In the primary IVTA injection group, CMT decreased at 1 month following IVTA injection and remained statistically significant until the sixth month visit (P < 0.05). In the secondary IVTA injection group, a slight reduction in CMT was noted only in the first month visit (P = 0.02). Pre-IVTA BCVA was found to be the single statistically significant predictor of BCVA gain following IVTA injection. In 8 patients (21.6%), the IOP increased above 25 mmHg postoperatively, and was successfully managed by medical treatment. Endophthalmitis did not develop in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: IVTA injection produced a significant reduction of macular edema in eyes with BRVO either with or without prior grid laser treatment. Reduction of CMT increased the BCVA in most of the eyes receiving IVTA primarily, while only a slight improvement of BCVA was found in eyes with prior grid laser. The IVTA effect was transient. Larger studies are necessary to find the best approach (either grid laser or IVTA) to patients with macular edema associated with BRVO.     

Intravitreal and posterior subtenon triamcinolone acetonide in idiopathic bilateral uveitic macular oedema

PURPOSE: To study the efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) versus posterior subtenon triamcinolone acetonide (PSTA) in bilateral macular oedema secondary to idiopathic intermediate uveitis. METHODS: In a prospective, interventional case series, 10 patients (20 eyes) with bilateral uveitic macular oedema were included. Patients underwent fundus fluorescein angiography, record of visual acuity and intraocular pressure (IOP). Patients received IVTA 4 mg/0.1 mL in one eye and PSTA 20 mg/0.5 mL in the fellow eye at an interval of > or =4 weeks. The outcome measures were record of IOP, best corrected visual acuity and angiographic resolution of cystoid macular oedema at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: The mean pre-intervention IOP at baseline between the IVTA and the PSTA group was comparable. At 1 week, the mean IOP recorded was greater in the eyes that received IVTA than those that received PSTA (P < 0.001). However, at 1- and 3-month follow up, the mean IOP between the two groups was similar. Best corrected visual acuity of > or =6/12 achieved at 3 and 6 months in the IVTA and PSTA group was comparable (77.8% vs. 44.4% [P = 0.14] and 88.9% vs. 77.8% [P = 0.53]). There was also no significant difference in angiographic resolution of cystoid macular oedema at 3 (P = 0.32) and 6 months (P = 0.53) between the two groups. Recurrence of macular oedema was seen in one and two eyes that received IVTA and PSTA, respectively, at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Triamcinolone acetonide injection, whether administered intravitreally or via posterior subtenon route, is an effective treatment option in achieving complete anatomic and functional improvement in cases treated for macular oedema secondary to idiopathic intermediate uveitis.     

Efficacy and complications of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide for refractory cystoid macular edema associated with intraocular inflammation

Purpose  To assess the effects and complications of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) for posterior sub-Tenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide (PSTA)-resistant cystoid macular edema (CME) with intraocular inflammation. Methods  Medical records of eight eyes of six patients with PSTA-resistant CME were retrospectively examined. Each eye received a 4-mg IVTA, and an additional injection was performed when CME recurred. Visual acuity as logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), intraocular pressure (IOP), and central macular thickness (CMT) were assessed before and after each treatment. Results  CME improved in six eyes (75%) with mean visual acuity recovering from 0.56 ± 0.29 to 0.41 ± 0.195 (logMAR, P = 0.13) and mean CMT decreasing from 470 μm (range, 275–660 μm) to 297 μm (range, 150–697 μm) (P = 0.04) 2 months after the initial IVTA. CME recurred an average of 9 months (range, 5–11 months) after IVTA. A higher dose (16-mg) IVTA was effective for two eyes refractory to repeated 4-mg IVTA. IOP was elevated in two eyes (25%), of which one required filtration surgery (12.5%). In phakic eyes, cataracts progressed and necessitated surgery. Conclusions  IVTA is effective for PSTA-resistant CME with intraocular inflammation, and its efficacy might be dose dependent.     

曲安奈德玻璃体注射治疗视网膜中央静脉阻塞继发黄斑水肿

目的 观察玻璃体腔曲安奈德注射(intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide,IVTA)治疗视网膜中央静脉阻塞(central retinal vein occlusion,CRVO)继发的黄斑水肿的近期疗效和并发症.方法 对30例(30只眼)CRVO继发的严重黄斑水肿患者,患眼行IVTA 4mg/0.1ml,观察治疗前和治疗后1 d、3 d、1周、1个月、3个月时患者的最佳矫正视力、眼压、眼内炎性反应、晶体、眼底改变,光学相干断层扫描(optic coherenttomography,OCT)测定黄斑区视网膜厚度变化.结果 30只眼中,有22只眼(73%)视力提高,3只眼(10%)视力不变,2只眼(7%)继发性青光眼,2只眼(7%)并发性白内障,1只眼(3%)视网膜脱离.LogMAR视力治疗前为0.78±0.50,治疗后1周、1个月、3个月时分别为0.62±0.48,0.45±0.37,0.31±0.28.黄斑中心凹平均厚度治疗前为(589±132)μm,治疗后1周、1个月、3个月时分别为:(341±122)μm;(201±61)μm;(162±41)μm.治疗前后比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).30只眼中有5只眼(17%)治疗后暂时性眼压轻度升高,经局部药物短期治疗后恢复正常;2只眼(7%)继发性青光眼,给与小梁切除术治疗;2只眼(7%)并发性白内障;1只眼(3%)视网膜脱离,给与激光光凝治疗.结论 IVTA可以在短期内有效地治疗CRVO继发的黄斑水肿,但其并发症不容忽视.     

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

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.     

Effect of Intravenous Mannitol on Intraocular Pressure in Vitrectomized Silicone-Oil-Filled Eyes

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of intravenous mannitol (IVM) on intraocular pressure (IOP) in vitrectomized eyes. Methods: Thirty-one patients with raised IOP after retinal surgery with silicone oil injection were included. Patients were administered IVM (20% solution, 1g/Kg, over 30 minutes) and IOP was noted at regular intervals. IOP reduction in vitrectomized eyes (Group 1) was compared with the normal eyes (Group 2). Result: Percentage IOP reduction was higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 at all time intervals, 24.5% vs. 19.2% at 15 minutes (p=0.34), 22.6% vs. 9.8% at 45 minutes (p=0.003), 19.1% vs. 9.9% at two hours (p=0.023), and 16.1% vs. 7.8% at four hours (p=0.04), respectively. In Group 1, 40% eyes had an IOP reduction of 2–6 mmHg while 30% eyes had IOP reduction >6 mmHg at four hours post-IVM. Conclusion: IVM is useful for short-term IOP reduction in vitrectomized eyes. IOP reduction is independent of baseline IOP, and sustained and higher as compared to normal eyes.     

Surgical management of secondary glaucoma after pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil injection for complex retinal detachment

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of surgical intervention for secondary glaucoma after pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil injection for repair of complex retinal detachment. DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-three eyes of 43 patients who underwent incisional surgery for secondary glaucoma after pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil injection for repair of complex retinal detachment over a 9-year period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intraocular pressure (IOP), intraoperative and postoperative complications, visual acuity, and the need for further surgical intervention for glaucoma. Success was defined as IOP < or =21 mmHg and > or =5 mmHg with or without medication but without surgical reoperation for glaucoma. RESULTS: Findings associated with elevated IOP included emulsified oil in the anterior chamber (n = 14), pupillary block from silicone oil (n = 13), open-angle glaucoma without silicone oil in the anterior chamber (n = 9), and angle-closure glaucoma without pupillary block (n = 7). The mean (+/- standard deviation) IOP was 41.4 +/- 15.1 mmHg before surgery for glaucoma and 17.2 +/- 10.2 mmHg after an average follow-up of 19.6 months (P < 0.001). Cumulative success was 69%, 60%, 56%, and 48% at 6, 12, 24, and 36-months respectively. In patients who underwent silicone oil removal alone for surgical management of glaucoma (n = 32), 11 of 12 IOP failures (92%) were due to uncontrolled IOP, whereas most IOP failures in the group who underwent silicone oil removal plus glaucoma surgery (n = 8) failed because of hypotony (3 of 4, 75%, P = 0.027). Of three patients who underwent glaucoma surgery alone to control IOP, one failed because of hypotony. There was no significant change in visual function at last follow-up (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR] 2.01) compared with preoperative visual function (logMAR 2.07, P = 0.74). CONCLUSION: Surgical management of secondary glaucoma after silicone oil injection for complex retinal detachment may achieve good IOP control and stabilization of visual function in most patients. Patients who undergo silicone oil removal alone to control IOP are more likely to have persistent elevation of IOP and possibly undergo reoperation for glaucoma, whereas patients who undergo concurrent silicone oil removal and glaucoma surgery are more likely to have hypotony.     

曲安奈德玻璃体腔重复注射治疗视网膜中央静脉阻塞性黄斑水肿的疗效评价

目的:研究玻璃体腔重复注射曲安奈德(intravitreal triam-cinolone,IVTA)治疗视网膜中央静脉阻塞(central retinal vein occlusion,CRVO)引起的黄斑水肿的临床效果。方法:研究对象为17例17眼接受IVTA(4mg)单次及重复注射的CRVO性黄斑水肿患者,均为人工晶状体眼或无晶状体眼(男/女=10/7),重复注射时间均为首次注射后16wk。在术前及术后1,2,3,4mo,分别测量单次注射组和重复注射组最佳矫正视力(best-corrected visual acuity,BCVA)和黄斑中心凹厚度(central foveal thickness,CFT)。采用配对-t检验对两组结果进行统计学分析。结果:单次注射组与重复注射组术前BCVA和CFT相比无显著差异。两次注射后BCVA及CFT均有短暂提高,虽然在随访结束时两组的BCVA及CFT与注射前仍有显著差异(单次注射组:P=0.032,0.049,重复注射组:P=0.01,0.008)。但重复注射组每个时间点BCVA均显著低于单次注射组(P值分别是0.043,0.011,0.010和0.012)。在注射后1,2,3mo,重复注射组CFT均显著高于单次注射组(P值分别是0.040,0.015和0.025)。单次及重复注射后眼压最高水平分别是20.0mmHg(SD2.06)和18.56mmHg(SD3.65),两者之间无显著性差异(P=0.467)。在随访期间未发现其它明显的副作用。结论:在治疗视网膜中央静脉阻塞引起的黄斑水肿时,4mgIVTA重复注射效果要差于单次注射。     

曲安奈德玻璃体腔注射治疗糖尿病性黄斑水肿34例

目的:评估玻璃体腔注射曲安奈德(intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide,IVTA)治疗糖尿病性黄斑水肿(diabetic macular edema,DME)的疗效。方法:DME患者34例39眼,采用40g/LIVTA0.1mL,治疗后1,3,6mo对比观察最佳矫正视力(best corrected visual acuity,BCVA),眼压、裂隙灯、光相干断层扫描(optical coherence tomography,OCT)、荧光素眼底血管造影(fundus fluorescein angiography,FFA)改变。结果:治疗前平均视力0.11±0.18,治疗后1,3,6mo平均视力分别提高至0.33±0.23,0.36±0.24,0.30±0.22,与治疗前比较差异均有统计意义(P<0.01)。OCT检查黄斑中心凹视网膜厚度(central macular thickness,CMT)治疗前603±150μm,治疗后1,3,6mo明显降低(P<0.01)分别是295±90μm,261±84μm,282±92μm。治疗后FFA检查荧光渗漏消失或明显减轻。8眼(21%)接受2次IVTA,眼压升高>22mmHg7眼。1眼发生后囊混浊性白内障。结论:IVTA治疗DME,能有效提高视力,降低黄斑视网膜厚度。     

Time course of changes in retinal thickness and visual acuity after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for diffuse diabetic macular edema with and without previous macular laser treatment

PURPOSE: To describe the changes in retinal thickness (RT) and visual acuity over time in patients with clinically significant diffuse diabetic macular edema (DME) after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) and to compare patients with and without previous laser treatment. METHODS: A total of 23 eyes with clinically significant DME received a 4-mg IVTA injection. Twelve eyes were refractory to macular laser treatment (group 1), and 11 eyes received IVTA as primary therapy (group 2). Visual acuity and changes in macular thickening shown by optical coherence tomography were evaluated 48 hours after injection, every 7 days for 1 month, and at 3 months and 6 months of follow-up. RESULTS: RT decreased in all eyes in both groups. The reduction of edema was maximal in the first 7 days after IVTA and tended to remain stable for 3 months. The decrease in RT over time was significant in both groups (P < 0.001). At 6 months, RT had increased in almost all eyes. Visual acuity improved quickly, to a maximum at 2 weeks in both groups, after which it remained stable for 3 months and then decreased. Improvement in visual acuity over time was significant in both groups (P < 0.001). The temporal characteristics of the changes in RT and visual acuity were similar in the two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: IVTA was effective in reducing clinically significant DME and improving visual acuity in eyes with and without previous laser treatment. Its action was maximal in the first week and lasted approximately 3 months in this study.     

Risk profile of deep sclerectomy for treatment of refractory congenital glaucomas

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness and risk profile of deep sclerectomy in surgery for refractory congenital glaucoma. DESIGN: Retrospective non-comparative interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Ten eyes of eight consecutive patients underwent deep sclerectomy for refractory congenital glaucoma. The procedure was converted to a trabeculectomy in four eyes and supplemented by a trabeculotomy in two eyes. Six eyes had primary congenital glaucoma, and four eyes had secondary congenital glaucoma. The patients' ages at the time of surgery in our department ranged from 8 months to 14 years. All eyes had a history of previous glaucoma surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The surgical outcome was assessed in terms of complication rate, intraocular pressure (IOP) change, need for surgical revision, or additional glaucoma medication. RESULTS: Preoperatively, the mean IOP was 31.9 mmHg (standard deviation [SD], 5.6 mmHg). At first follow-up 1 week after surgery, the mean IOP for all eyes was 12.7 mmHg (SD, 6.8 mmHg). The average reduction of IOP was statistically significant (P < 0.001). In accordance with the success criteria, all eyes were ultimately classified as failures. Average time to failure was 2.1 months (SD, 3.6 months). Specific complications were seen in terms of non-identification of Schlemm's canal (40%), choroidal deroofing (10%), and visible perforation of the trabeculodescemetic membrane (20%). Further complications were hyphema (40%), ocular hypotony (10%), vitreous hemorrhage (10%), and vitreous loss with subsequent retinal detachment (10%). CONCLUSIONS: Although deep sclerectomy may reduce the IOP in patients with refractory congenital glaucoma, this study indicates a specific risk profile associated with deep sclerectomy in surgery for refractory congenital glaucoma.     

Safety profile of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide.

BACKGROUND: There is currently a widespread use of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) for age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, cystoid macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusions, and uveitis. The aim of this investigation was to assess the rates of various complications associated with this treatment and to determine which factors are associated with the development of these complications. METHODS: A retrospective interventional case series of all patients from one retina specialist undergoing IVTA was conducted in a clinical setting from 2002 to 2005. All disease entities were included. Patients were followed for a mean of 9.5 months after receiving 4 mg (0.1 mL) of nonfiltered triamcinolone acetonide (TA). All complications associated with the injection procedure or with the TA were noted. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-three (223) eyes of 192 patients received a total of 336 IVTA injections between 2002 and 2005. The mean age was 73.3 years and mean follow-up was 9.5 months. A single injection was performed in 144 eyes (64.6%); 2 IVTAs in 55 eyes (24.7%); 3 IVTAs in 16 eyes (7.2%), and 3.6% of eyes had more than 3 injections at a minimal interval of 3 months. The only immediate complication was a single injection (0.3%) associated with a temporary occlusion of the central retinal artery, which opened immediately following anterior paracentesis. Late complications included endophthalmitis in 1 of 336 (0.3%) injections and a steroid response requiring glaucoma medication in 60 of 192 patients (31.3%). In patients with preexisting glaucoma, 58.8% required additional glaucoma medication. Glaucoma-filtering surgery was required in 2 of 192 patients (1.0%). CONCLUSIONS: In the study center, the IVTA is extremely safe in patients without a history of glaucoma. However, patients with preexisting glaucoma with progressive optic neuropathy must be treated with great caution.     

Intravitreal triamcinolone for the treatment of refractory macular edema in idiopathic intermediate or posterior uveitis

PURPOSE. Cystoid macular edema (CME) is the most significant cause of visual loss associated with idiopathic uveitis. The authors report on the use of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) in a group of patients with macular edema due to idiopathic intermediate and posterior uveitis. METHODS. Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. Thirty-three eyes were included with uveitic CME that was refractory to topical steroids, oral prednisone, or a combination thereof. Previous steroid treatment did not result in elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). The eyes received an intravitreal injection with 10 mg triamcinolone acetonide, after best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and fluorescein angiography (FA) were assessed. Ophthalmologic examination including FA was regularly performed during a 1-year follow-up period. RESULTS. Within 12 weeks after injection of IVTA, 50% of the eyes responded with an improvement in vision of more than two lines and 30% of the eyes reached an IOP of >/= 21 mmHg (p<0.01). All eyes with an elevated IOP responded well on topical antiglaucoma medication. After 12 months follow-up 40% of the eyes responded with an improvement in vision of more than two lines and 28% of the affected eyes underwent phacoemulsification during the follow-up. No other complications occurred within a year after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS. In macular edema due to idiopathic intermediate or posterior uveitis IVTA improves the visual acuity within the first 3 months. However, thereafter the visual acuity decreases again. Cataract and elevated IOP are common side effects.     

Secondary glaucoma after intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) injection in patients with retinal disorder: A retrospective study

Purpose:To investigate the rate of secondary glaucoma after intravitreal (IV) dexamethasone implant (ozurdex) 0.7 mg injection in a retinal disorder over a clinical treatment period of 2 years in a tertiary eye care center.Methods:Retrospective study based on the records of patients receiving IV ozurdex 0.7 mg implant for T/t of cystoid macular edema (CME), diabetic macular edema (DME), macular edema due to central retinal vein occlusion/branch retinal vein occlusion (CRVO/BRVO), and choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) at a tertiary eye care hospital for 2 years with 6 months of follow-up. The post-T/t intraocular pressure (IOP) and antiglaucoma medication (AGM) required was recorded at day 1, 1 week, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 months and analyzed for secondary IOP spike or ocular hypertension defined as IOP >21 mmHg at any point in time. The patients with pre-existing glaucoma and lost to follow-up were excluded.Results:A total of 102 eyes of 80 patients were included in the study. The mean baseline IOP was 14.40 + 2.97 mmHg, post-injection was 15.01 + 3.22 mmHg at day 1, 15.15 + 3.28 mmHg at 1 week, 15.96 + 3.62 mmHg at 1 month, 16.26 + 3.95 mmHg at 2 months, 15.41 + 3.33 mmHg at 3 months, 15.38 + 3.28 mmHg at 4 months, and 14.27 + 2.69 mmHg at 6 months. No significant difference was seen from baseline IOP at day 1 (P = 0.163), 1 week (P = 0.086), and 6 months (P = 0.748). Statistically significant difference was seen at 1 month (P = 0.0009), 2 months (P = 0.0001), 3 months (P = 0.023), and 4 months (P = 0.026). The mean IOP peak at 2 months recovered to baseline by 6 months subgroup IOP trend shows a similar variation and the results are consistent with the studies in the literature. About 19/102 (18.62%) eyes showed an IOP spike post-T/t. The maximum was seen at 2 months; 16 eyes showed a rise in the range 22–25 mmHg; 8 in the range 26–30 mmHg; and 1 eye had 34 mmHg and required multiple AGM—no surgical intervention was needed.Conclusion:A secondary IOP spike post-IV ozurdex 0.7 mg seen in 18.62% of the cases require AGM. The IOP monitoring should be meticulously performed for the variations and secondary IOP spike management to prevent irreversible damage to the optic nerve and visual field.     

Intraocular pressure after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide following vitrectomy for macular edema

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) response after intravitreal injections of different doses of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) upon completion of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for macular edema secondary to diabetic retinopathy or retinal vein occlusion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective, consecutive, comparative, interventional case series. Twenty-seven eyes of 25 consecutive patients with macular edema associated with diabetic retinopathy (n=18) or retinal vein occlusion (n=9), who underwent PPV for the treatment of macular edema between January 2003 and December 2003, were included. Upon completion of vitrectomy, different doses of TA were injected into the vitreous cavity: 14 eyes with 5 mg of TA (group 1) and 13 eyes with 10 mg of TA (group 2). The main outcome measure was IOP. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for at least 12 months. Preoperative IOP was 12.6+/-2.6 mm Hg (mean+/-standard deviation) in group 1 and 13.2+/-2.1 mm Hg in group 2. Postoperatively, IOP increased to a mean maximum of 20.6+/-5.5 mm Hg in group 1 and 31.5+/-3.5 mm Hg in group 2 (P<0.01 for both groups). The difference between groups was also significant (P<0.05). Five of 14 eyes (36%) in group 1 and 10 of 13 eyes (77%) in group 2 had an elevation of IOP exceeding 21 mm Hg (P=0.03). The median interval from surgery to reach maximal IOP was 7 days in both groups. The significant IOP elevation lasted for 3 months in group 1 and 6 months in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: After injecting of TA into the vitreous cavity upon completion of PPV for macular edema, a dose-dependent IOP elevation was observed, starting from early postoperative days and returning to normal values after several months. These results show that intravitreal TA injection in the vitrectomized eyes might have different IOP changes from in the nonvitrectomized eyes.