Cataract surgery after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide

PURPOSE: To report the clinical outcome of patients undergoing cataract surgery after one or repeated intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide as treatment of intraocular neovascular or oedematous diseases. METHODS: The interventional clinical case series study included all patients (n=22) who presented with cataract which had progressed after a single or repeated intravitreal injection of 25 mg of triamcinolone acetonide as treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (n=18) or diffuse diabetic macular oedema (n=4). Duration of the follow-up period was 3.76+/-4.99 months. With topical anaesthesia, the patients underwent standard cataract surgery including clear cornea incision, phakoemulsification and aspiration of the lens nucleus and cortex, and implantation of a foldable posterior chamber lens. The main outcome measures were frequencies of capsular rupture, vitreous loss, postoperative infectious endophthalmitis, secondary cataract, and decentration of the intraocular lens, visual acuity and intraocular pressure. RESULTS: Intraoperative dialysis of the lens zonules occurred in one (4.5%) eye and resulted in a loss of vitreous. Secondary cataract leading to Nd : YAG laser capsulotomy was observed in one (4.5%) eye. An optically significant decentration of the IOL or infectious endophthalmitis was not encountered in any patient. Visual acuity increased from 0.11+/-0.10 to 0.13+/-0.94 during the follow-up. Within 1 week after surgery, intraocular pressure was in the normal range in all the eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Cataract surgery after single or repeated intravitreal injection of 25 mg of triamcinolone acetonide does not harbour a markedly elevated frequency or a markedly changed profile of surgical complications.     

Infectious and noninfectious endophthalmitis after intravitreal high-dosage triamcinolone acetonide

PURPOSE: To evaluate the rate of infectious and noninfectious endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of a high-dosage of triamcinolone acetonide. DESIGN: Clinical interventional case-series study. METHODS: The study included 1135 intravitreal injections of approximately 20 mg triamcinolone performed for 915 eyes with diabetic macular edema (n = 257), exudative age-related macular degeneration (n = 561), retinal vein occlusions (n = 82), and other reasons. Among the injections were 220 reinjections. Triamcinolone was filtered to remove the solvent agent. Mean follow-up was 8.1 +/- 7.4 months. RESULTS: In none of the eyes, signs of an infectious or noninfectious endophthalmitis were observed such as noncrystalline hypopyon, cellular infiltration, or amorphous opacification of the vitreous, retinal infiltration, or pain. One patient developed infectious endophthalmitis 2 days after a traumatic rupture of a previous corneoscleral cataract incision. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of infectious or noninfectious endophthalmitis after an intravitreal high-dosage triamcinolone injection may be approximately 1:1000, if the solvent agent was removed.     

玻璃体腔注射改良低剂量曲安奈德治疗白内障术后黄斑囊样水肿

目的：探讨玻璃体腔注射改良低剂量曲安奈德(TA)治疗白内障术后黄斑囊样水肿(PCME)的疗效。

方法：回顾性分析。选取2015-01/2018-12于我院就诊的典型PCME 患者12例12眼行玻璃体腔注射改良低剂量TA。通过0.22μm的滤膜将TA 混悬液置换成眼内灌注液,取置换后的TA溶液2mg/0.05mL注射。观察注药后2wk,1、3、6mo的最佳矫正视力、黄斑中央厚度、眼压、局部和全身并发症。

结果：与注射前比较,所有患者注药后视力均显著提高; 黄斑中央厚度显著减低(P<0.05), 而眼压无明显升高(P>0.05),所有患者均未观察到眼部及全身并发症。

结论：玻璃体腔注射改良低剂量TA治疗PCME安全、有效,克服了以往导致眼压升高的副作用,价格低廉,能够使患者受益。但尚需大宗病例的临床随机对照研究和长期疗效的随访观察。     

Intraocular pressure after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide

AIM: To investigate the intraocular pressure (IOP) response after intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide as treatment of intraocular neovascular or oedematous diseases. METHODS: The prospective consecutive non-comparative interventional case series study included 71 patients (75 eyes) with progressive exudative age related macular degeneration (n = 64 eyes) or diffuse diabetic macular oedema (n = 11 eyes), who received an intravitreal injection of 25 mg triamcinolone acetonide. Mean follow up time was 6.86 (SD 2.52) months (range 3.1-14.47 months). RESULTS: IOP increased significantly (p<0.001) from 15.43 (3.26) mm Hg preoperatively to a mean maximum of 23.38 (8.37) mm Hg (range 13-64 mm Hg) postoperatively. An IOP rise to values higher than 21 mm Hg was observed in 39 (52%) eyes. Elevation of IOP occurred about 2 months after the injection. Preoperative predictive factor for the rise in IOP was younger age (p=0.013). It was statistically independent of refractive error, presence of diabetes mellitus, and indication for the injection. In all but one eye, IOP could be lowered to the normal range with topical medication, without development of glaucomatous optic nerve head changes. In the eyes with an elevation of IOP, IOP normalised about 6 months after the injection, without further medication. Eyes undergoing repeatedly intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide showed only an elevation of IOP, if after the first injection a rise of IOP had occurred. CONCLUSIONS: After intravitreal injections of 25 mg of triamcinolone acetonide, an IOP elevation can develop in about 50% of eyes, starting about 1-2 months after the injection. In the vast majority, IOP can be normalised by topical medication, and returns to normal values without further medication about 6 months after the injection.     

Serum levels of triamcinolone acetonide after intravitreal injection

PURPOSE: To evaluate serum levels of triamcinolone acetonide after intravitreal high-dose injection. DESIGN: Prospective, interventional case series study. METHODS: For 20 consecutive patients, venous blood samples were taken before and 13 +/- 19 days (range 4 to 92) after an intravitreal injection of 20 to 25 mg triamcinolone acetonide as treatment of edematous macular diseases. RESULTS: Serum levels of triamcinolone acetonide did not differ significantly (P =.174; t test for paired matches) preoperatively (0 microg/l) and postoperatively (0.065 microg/l +/- 0.21 microg/l). In 18 eyes (90%), triamcinolone acetonide could not be detected in serum samples. For two patients (10%), serum samples taken 5 days and 7 days after the injection, respectively, contained 0.5 microg/l triamcinolone acetonide and 0.8 microg/l triamcinolone acetonide, respectively. CONCLUSION: After an intravitreal high-dose injection of 20 to 25 mg triamcinolone acetonide, triamcinolone acetonide is not, or only marginally, detectable in serum samples obtained within 4 to 92 days after the injection.     

Intraocular availability of triamcinolone acetonide after intravitreal injection

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the intraocular concentration of triamcinolone acetonide after intravitreal injection. METHODS: The prospective clinical interventional case series study included 17 patients who had received a 20 to 25-mg intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide as treatment for exudative age-related macular degeneration, diffuse diabetic macular edema, or retinal vein occlusions. During a secondary intraocular surgery taking place 4.1 weeks to 25.7 months after the intravitreal injection, aqueous humor samples were obtained. None of the eyes were vitrectomized. RESULTS: In the aqueous humor samples, triamcinolone acetonide was in low, but measurable, concentrations detected up to 1.5 years after the intravitreal injection. Concentrations found in samples obtained during the first 6 months, or 7 to 12 months, respectively, after the injection ranged between 3.0 microg/l and 436 microg/l, and between 0.0 microg/l and 11.2 microg/l, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: After injection of triamcinolone acetonide, triamcinolone can be present in measurable concentrations up to 1.5 years after the application.     

Filtering bleb rupture after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection

Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide is effective in treating various ocular disorders associated with inflammation and swelling of the retina. Unfortunately, the use of intraocular steroids is also associated with several side effects, including increased intraocular pressure and the development of cataracts. This article describes a case of intravitreal steroid injection resulting in filtering bleb rupture due to an acute rise of intraocular pressure, expands on the mechanism, and provides possible ways to avoid such an occurrence in thin, cystic filtering blebs.     

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.     

Cataract surgery combined with intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the addition of cataract surgery to an intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide markedly increases frequency and spectrum of complications. METHODS: The comparative nonrandomized clinical interventional investigation included a study group of 60 eyes (56 patients) undergoing cataract surgery and additionally receiving an intravitreal injection of about 20 mg of triamcinolone acetonide and a triamcinolone control group of 290 eyes (262 patients) that consecutively received an intravitreal injection of about 20 mg triamcinolone acetonide without cataract surgery. Reasons for intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide were exudative age-related macular degeneration (n=228; 65%), diffuse diabetic macular edema (n=94; 27%), central retinal vein occlusion (n=17; 5%), and branch retinal vein occlusion (n=11; 3%). Mean follow-up was 8.6+/-6.8 months. A second control group included 1068 patients (1068 eyes) who consecutively underwent routine cataract surgery without intravitreal injection. RESULTS: Study group and triamcinolone control group did not vary significantly in best visual acuity during follow-up (p=0.08), final visual acuity at the end of follow-up (p=0.30), maximal intraocular pressure during follow-up (p=0.99), frequency of an intraocular pressure higher than 21 mmHg (p=0.66), and intraocular pressure at the end of follow-up (p=0.06). Postoperative infectious endophthalmitis, wound leakage or other corneal wound healing problems, persisting corneal endothelial decompensation, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, marked postoperative pain, or a clinically significant decentration of the intraocular lens were not observed. Study group and the non-triamcinolone control group did not vary significantly in the rate of posterior lens capsule rupture (p=0.11), postoperative infectious endophthalmitis, and persisting postoperative corneal endothelial decompensation. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of cataract surgery to an intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide may not markedly increase amount and frequency of side effects and complications of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide. No safe conclusions can be reached regarding differences in frequency of postoperative infectious endophthalmitis.     

Pseudohypopyon following intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of a pseudohypopyon that developed after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide for choroidal neovascularization from age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: Observational case report. RESULTS: A 62-year-old woman received an intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide for the treatment of a choroidal neovascular membrane that developed as a result of age-related macular degeneration. A layer of yellowish deposits was observed in the anterior chamber 1 day after the injection. The patient denied any pain or reduced vision, and there was no redness noted on examination. The deposits cleared spontaneously on the fourth postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudohypopyon may develop after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide. Distinguishing this from a true hypopyon is important because the treatment and prognosis are very different for the two conditions.     

Refractory severe ocular hypertension after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection

PURPOSE: To report a serious complication following intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection. METHODS: Observational case report. RESULTS: In 2 patients, secondary intractable severe ocular hypertension occurred 2 months after a single 4-mg intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide for macular edema. Both patients required trabeculectomy intervention to control intraocular pressure (IOP). CONCLUSION: We highlight the occurrence of intractable high IOP elevation as a serious complication 2 months after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide. Cautious monitoring of IOP for several months after this therapy is recommended. The risks of this potentially devastating complication need to be weighed against the benefits of intravitreal triamcinolone in the individual patient.     

玻璃体腔内注射曲安奈德与贝伐单抗治疗白内障术后黄斑水肿的疗效

目的：：评价曲安奈德和贝伐单抗玻璃体腔注射治疗白内障术后黄斑水肿的疗效,为临床安全有效用药提供参考。方法：选择2012-03/2014-03在我院眼科确诊为黄斑水肿的患者92例92眼为研究对象,按照玻璃体腔注射用药不同,分为曲安奈德组44例44眼和贝伐单抗组48例48眼,术后随访9mo,比较两组患者在不同时间点的最佳矫正视力、黄斑中央视网膜平均厚度和眼内压情况。结果：术后随访9mo,两组患者术后的最佳矫正视力均比术前提高,但组间无统计学意义(P>0.05);经重复测量方差分析,两组患者的黄斑中央视网膜厚度无统计学意义(P>0.05)。曲安奈德组术后各时间点与术前的黄斑中央视网膜厚度差异具有统计学意义( t=9.16,8.27,5.44,5.87,4.62,P<0.05),贝伐单抗组术后各时间点的斑中央视网膜厚度均比术前降低,具有统计学意义( t=8.11,5.12,4.16,3.27,2.88,P<0.05);曲安奈德组有7例患者发生眼压升高,并发为青光眼,贝伐单抗组患者未见眼压异常。结论：曲安奈德和贝伐单抗均可提高黄斑水肿患者的矫正视力,改善毛细血管的渗漏情况,但贝伐单抗不会引起眼压升高,能避免其他并发症的发生,安全性更高。     

Complications of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide

BACKGROUND: Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide appears to be a promising treatment for a variety of proliferative, edematous, neovascular and inflammatory ocular disorders. Reported complications include intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation, cataract formation, retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage and endophthalmitis. The purpose of this investigation was to report the complications of intravitreal triamcinolone injection that may be attributable to the injection procedure or to the corticosteroid suspension. METHODS: A total of 212 eyes of 180 patients who underwent intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection for various indications were enrolled. All patients received 8 mg/0.2 mL of triamcinolone. A total of 270 injections were performed by the same surgeon under topical anesthesia. The patients were followed for a mean of 9.2 months. Complications related to the injection procedure and to the corticosteroid were recorded. RESULTS: The most common complication encountered during follow-up was transient elevation of the IOP above 21 mm Hg (44 eyes [20.8%]). The average IOP rose by 28.5%, 38.2%, 16.7% and 4.2% from baseline at 1, 3, 6 and 9 months respectively. The mean IOP values at 1, 3 and 6 months were statistically significantly higher than the mean preinjection value (p < 0.001). Fourteen eyes (6.6%) had cataract progression and underwent cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation. Endophthalmitis developed in one eye (0.5%); the patient underwent vitrectomy with silicone oil injection. Pseudoendophthalmitis occurred in one eye (0.5%), and pseudohypopyon was observed in two eyes (0.9%). INTERPRETATION: Intravitreal triamcinolone injection was effective in a variety of ocular disorders. Patients should be monitored closely given the potential for complications of the injection procedure or the corticosteroid suspension.     

Persistent depot of triamcinolone acetonide after a single intravitreal injection

The persistence of depot of triamcinolone at four months following a single intravitreal injection is described.     

Infectious and presumed noninfectious endophthalmitis after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection

PURPOSE: To report potentially distinguishing characteristics between bacterial endophthalmitis and presumed noninfectious endophthalmitis associated with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection. METHODS: Records of two patients with culture-proven bacterial endophthalmitis and six patients with presumed noninfectious endophthalmitis from intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injections were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Two eyes in two patients with culture-proven bacterial endophthalmitis had decreased vision and hypopyon or vitritis, but no pain or conjunctival injection 2 weeks after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection. Seven eyes in six patients with presumed noninfectious endophthalmitis had blurred vision, hypopyon, and variable pain all within 2 days of intravitreal triamcinolone injection. All seven eyes were followed up closely and had rapid resolution of hypopyon and symptoms. CONCLUSION: Bacterial endophthalmitis after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection may present in an atypical, relatively delayed manner with decreased vision but no pain or redness. Presumed noninfectious endophthalmitis presents within 2 days after the injection, may be accompanied by discomfort, and has a hypopyon that may be the triamcinolone material itself or a sterile inflammatory reaction. In these eyes, the hypopyon and symptoms quickly resolve without treatment.     

Safety and efficacy of intraoperative intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide injection after phacoemulsification in cases of uveitic cataract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a single intraoperative intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide after phacoemulsification in patients with chronic idiopathic anterior uveitis or intermediate uveitis. SETTING: Dr. R.P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. METHODS: This prospective randomized controlled study included 40 eyes (40 patients) with chronic idiopathic anterior uveitis or intermediate uveitis that had phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. Twenty eyes received an intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (4 mg/0.1 mL) intraoperatively (triamcinolone acetonide group), and 20 received oral steroids (steroid group) postoperatively. Outcome measures were Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), anterior chamber reaction, intraocular pressure (IOP) by applanation tonometry, and central macular thickness by optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The mean BCVA (decimal) improved from a baseline of 0.13 +/- 0.14 to 0.64 +/- 0.32 in the triamcinolone acetonide group and from 0.05 +/- 0.06 to 0.61 +/- 0.36 in the steroid group (P = .74). There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in postoperative anterior chamber reaction, IOP, or central macular thickness. Four patients in the triamcinolone acetonide group and 5 in the steroid group had recurrence of uveitis; 5 patients in the triamcinolone acetonide group had ocular hypertension. One patient in the triamcinolone acetonide group and 3 in the steroid group had cystoid macular edema postoperatively. CONCLUSION: A single intraoperative intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide seemed to be a safe and efficacious route of steroid delivery during phacoemulsification in patients with chronic idiopathic anterior uveitis or intermediate uveitis and is recommended as a substitute for postoperative oral steroid administration.