Intravitreal ranibizumab for macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: a retrospective study of 34 eyes

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and the safety of intravitreal ranibizumab injection (Lucentis) in eyes with macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) or branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Methods: The files of consecutive patients (34 eyes, 15 CRVO, 19 BRVO) were retrospectively analysed. Intravitreal injections of 0.5 mg ranibizumab were administered; retreatment was based on acuity visual changes and optical coherence tomography findings. Patients received 2–4 injections (mean, 2.1). Mean follow‐up was 7 months. Results: After the first injection, mean best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from 20/160 to 20/80 and mean central retinal thickness (CRT) decreased significantly from 549 to 301 μm (p < 0.01). For each injection, BCVA improvement was on average nine letters (p < 0.01) and macular oedema reduction was 195 μm CRT (p < 0.01). The decrease in CRT was similar in CRVO and BRVO, but the improvement in BCVA was larger in BRVO. No local or systemic adverse effect was detected. Final visual acuity was correlated to initial visual acuity and to visual acuity measured after the first injection. The change in CRT was correlated to the number of injections and to initial CRT. Conclusion: Intravitreal injections of ranibizumab appeared to be a safe and effective option in the treatment of macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion. Nevertheless, because the natural course has demonstrated a possible improvement in vision in almost one quarter of affected eyes at 3 years, further controlled and prospective studies are necessary to compare this treatment to the natural course with a longer follow‐up.     

Intravitreal triamcinolone treatment for macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion and hemiretinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone treatment for macular edema from central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and hemiretinal vein occlusion (HRVO). METHODS: This study was a retrospective medical records review of 24 eyes of 24 patients (mean age, 71 years) that were injected with 4 mg of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for treatment of macular edema due to CRVO (n = 21) and HRVO (n = 3). Of the 24 eyes, 14 were injected once, 6 were injected twice, 3 were injected 3 times, and 1 received 4 injections. Mean follow-up time was 10 months (range, 3-24 months). The average time between onset of symptoms and first injection was 5.4 months (range, 2-48 months). Available documents on pre- and postinjection optical coherence tomography central foveal thickness in 23 of 39 total injections were evaluated. RESULTS: All injections resulted in reduction in central foveal thickness as determined by optical coherence tomography. The mean central foveal thickness decreased to 55% of preinjection values ([n = 23] 635 vs. 352 mum, respectively; P < 0.001). The average gain in visual acuity was 1.3 Snellen lines (range, -3-7) over the course of the study period. Ten eyes gained > or =2 lines of visual acuity, 3 eyes improved 1 line, 7 eyes remained the same, and 4 eyes worsened. There was no correlation between improvement in foveal thickness and corresponding visual gain (P = 0.24). None of the eyes of diabetic patients (n = 6) or patients with ischemic CRVO (n = 2) improved in visual acuity. The difference in mean baseline (20/167) and mean final visual acuity (20/91) was statistically significant (P = 0.015). The mean best postinjection visual acuity (20/67) was also significantly higher than the mean final visual acuity (P = 0.019). When diabetic and ischemic CRVO patients were excluded, the difference between mean baseline visual acuity and mean final visual acuity was found to be highly significant ([n = 16] 20/133 vs. 20/67, respectively; P < 0.001), while mean final and best postinjection visual acuities (20/50) did not differ (P = 0.085). Eight of 16 phakic eyes showed progression of cataract, 2 of which underwent cataract extraction. Nine of 18 patients without a history of glaucoma developed ocular hypertension and required glaucoma medication during postinjection follow-up. Trabeculectomy was performed on two eyes with glaucoma. Two other eyes developed epiretinal membranes, one of which underwent vitrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal triamcinolone may be effective in treating macular edema from CRVO and HRVO. Subjects with concurrent diabetes or ischemic central retinal vein were less likely to have visual improvement.     

Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in patients with macular oedema due to branch retinal vein occlusion: a pilot study

PURPOSE: To evaluate treatment of macular oedema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide. METHODS: In a prospective case series, nine patients with macular oedema due to BRVO received an intravitreal injection of 4 mg triamcinolone acetonide. Examination included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) for distance and reading, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, fluorescein angiography and high resolution imaging by optical coherence tomography, preoperatively and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Preoperative mean BCVAs were 1.3 +/- 0.8 for distance vision, and 1.1 +/- 0.3 for reading acuity, respectively. A significant improvement in reading acuity was observed until 1 month (0.7 +/- 0.4, p = 0.02). No significant reduction in mean macular thickness was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide led to a significant improvement in mean VA in patients with macular oedema due to BRVO. However, the significant effect was not permanent and persisted for only 1 month.     

Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide treatment of macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE: To evaluate treatment of macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) using intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide. METHODS: Retrospective review of data for 29 eyes of 29 patients with CRVO and macular edema treated with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide. Initial visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and history of glaucoma were recorded. Final visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and adverse events were recorded during the treatment period. RESULTS: Twenty-nine eyes were treated with intravitreal injection. The mean follow-up was 348 days. The median initial Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study visual acuity was 20/250 (median logMAR, 1.1). The median visual acuity 3 months after injection was 20/125 (median logMAR, 0.8). This difference was statistically significant. The median final visual acuity was 20/250 (median logMAR, 1.1). This difference in visual acuity was not statistically significant. Elevated intraocular pressure, excluding that related to neovascularization, occurred in 5 of 22 patients. Subgroup analysis revealed that patients who received multiple injections had better outcomes. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide may improve vision transiently but does not appear to result in a sustained visual acuity benefit for patients with macular edema associated with CRVO. Repeated injections may be necessary. The risk of glaucoma is significant, and additional study is required to further characterize this and other risks.     

Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in patients with macular oedema due to central retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE: To evaluate treatment of macular oedema due to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide. METHODS: In a prospective case series, 13 patients with macular oedema due to non-ischaemic CRVO received an intravitreal injection of 4 mg triamcinolone acetonide. Examination included assessment of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) for distance and reading, measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP), fluorescein angiography and high resolution imaging by optical coherence tomography, preoperatively and 1 week, 1 month, 3, 6 and 9 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Preoperative mean BCVA was 0.9 +/- 0.4 for distance vision and 1.0 +/- 0.3 for reading acuity, respectively. A significant improvement in distance VA (0.5 +/- 0.3, p < 0.001) and reading acuity (0.7 +/- 0.3, p = 0.03) was observed until 3 months and 6 months, respectively. Mean macular thickness was significantly reduced until 9 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide led to a significant improvement in mean VA in patients with macular oedema due to CRVO. However, the significant effect was not permanent and persisted for a maximum of 6 months.     

Arteriovenous sheathotomy for persistent macular edema in branch retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of arteriovenous (AV) sheathotomy with internal limiting membrane peeling for persistent or recurrent macular edema after intravitreal triamcinolone injection and/or laser photocoagulation in branch retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: Twenty-two eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) with recurrent macular edema underwent vitrectomy with AV sheathotomy and internal limiting membrane peeling. All eyes had previous intravitreal triamcinolone injection and/or laser photocoagulation for macular edema. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) before and after surgery were compared. RESULTS: The mean preoperative BCVA (log MAR) were 0.79 +/- 0.29 and postoperative BCVA (log MAR) at 3 months was 0.57 +/- 0.33. And improvement of visual acuity > or = 2 lines was observed in 10 eyes (45%). The mean preoperative fovea thickness measured by OCT was 595.22 +/- 76.83 microm (510-737 microm) and postoperative fovea thickness was 217.60 +/- 47.33 microm (164-285 microm). CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy with AV sheathotomy can be one treatment option for the patients with recurrent macular edema in BRVO.     

曲安奈德联合激光光凝治疗视网膜静脉阻塞继发黄斑水肿

目的：观察玻璃体腔内曲安奈德( trialcinolone acetonide, TA)注射联合黄斑格栅样光凝治疗视网膜静脉阻塞引起黄斑水肿的疗效分析。
　　方法：检眼镜、眼底血管造影( FFA )、光学相干断层扫描( OCT)检查证实的由视网膜静脉阻塞引起的黄斑水肿患者35例35眼,玻璃体内注射TA 2lg,1~4wk内黄斑水肿减轻后行黄斑格栅样光凝,随访6lo,观察视力、眼压、晶状体,OCT 观察黄斑厚度改变,FFA 观察眼底毛细血管渗漏情况。
　　结果：视网膜中央静脉阻塞( central retinal vein occlusion, CRVO)中非缺血型10眼,缺血型14眼;视网膜分支静脉阻塞( branch retinal vein occlusion, BRVO)中非缺血型4眼,缺血型7眼。最终视力提高者19眼,不变者11眼,比术前降低者5眼。 OCT检查黄斑中心凹形态恢复正常者9眼,FFA提示黄斑区荧光素渗漏与术前相比消失或明显减轻;黄斑囊样水肿明显改善者21眼,FFA 提示渗漏比术前减轻;无改善者5眼,FFA 提示黄斑区渗漏比术前加重或不变。
　　结论：玻璃体腔内注射TA 2 lg联合黄斑格栅样光凝治疗视网膜静脉阻塞继发黄斑水肿,可以明显减轻由静脉阻塞引起的黄斑水肿,并提高患者视力,是一种有效可行的方法。     

Prospective comparisons of intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide and bevacizumab for macular oedema due to branch retinal vein occlusion

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and that of bevacizumab for macular oedema because of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Design: Prospective, comparative, randomized, interventional clinical trial. Methods: Forty‐three eyes of 43 patients with macular oedema because of BRVO were randomly assigned to 4‐mg intravitreal injections of TA (IVTA)(21 patients, IVTA group) or 1.25‐mg intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (IVB) (22 patients, IVB group) and followed for 12 months. No additional treatments were administered for 3 months after the initial injection; additional injections were administered when macular oedema recurred between 3 and 12 months after the initial injection. The best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the central retinal thickness (CRT) were measured at baseline and monthly. The main outcome measures were changes in the logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution BCVA and CRT from baseline to 12 months. Results: Eighteen eyes of 18 patients in the IVTA group and 18 eyes of 18 patients in the IVB group completed follow‐up at 12 months. The mean improvements in BCVA from baseline to 12 months were 0.12 in the IVTA group and 0.33 in the IVB group, which was significantly (p = 0.032) higher than in the IVTA group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the mean reduction in CRT from baseline to 12 months after the initial injection. Two eyes in the IVTA group required intraocular pressure–lowering medications. Conclusion: Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab may be of greater benefit than that of TA for macular oedema because of BRVO.     

Treatment of central retinal vein occlusion with triamcinolone acetonide: an optical coherence tomography study

Central retinal vein occlusion is one of the most common retinal vascular disorders. Many patients have decreased visual acuity as a result of macular edema. We report a retrospective review of 8 patients at the University of Wisconsin with macular edema from CRVO who were treated with an intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to help assess the effect of this intervention. Mean baseline visual acuity was 20/500. Mean visual acuity at the 3-month follow up was 20/220. The average gain in visual acuity was 3.3 lines (range -1 to +10). Four of 8 patients experienced a visual acuity gain of 2 or more lines at the 3-month follow up. Four of 8 patients were unchanged (within 2 lines of baseline) at the 3-month follow up. No patient had a decrease in visual acuity (2 or more line decrease from baseline). Seven of 8 patients had complete resolution of macular edema on clinical examination at the 3-month follow up. No adverse effects such as cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment or endophthalmitis were noted. We conclude that intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide may be a safe and effective treatment in some patients with macular edema due to CRVO. Optical coherence tomography demonstrated significant anatomic improvement in the majority of patients with macular edema due to CRVO treated with intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide.     

Treatment of central retinal vein occlusion with triamcinolone acetonide: an optical coherence tomography study

Central retinal vein occlusion is one of the most common retinal vascular disorders. Many patients have decreased visual acuity as a result of macular edema. We report a retrospective review of 8 patients at the University of Wisconsin with macular edema from CRVO who were treated with an intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to help assess the effect of this intervention. Mean baseline visual acuity was 20/500. Mean visual acuity at the 3-month follow up was 20/220. The average gain in visual acuity was 3.3 lines (range -1 to +10). Four of 8 patients experienced a visual acuity gain of 2 or more lines at the 3-month follow up. Four of 8 patients were unchanged (within 2 lines of baseline) at the 3-month follow up. No patient had a decrease in visual acuity (2 or more line decrease from baseline). Seven of 8 patients had complete resolution of macular edema on clinical examination at the 3-month follow up. No adverse effects such as cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment or endophthalmitis were noted. We conclude that intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide may be a safe and effective treatment in some patients with macular edema due to CRVO. Optical coherence tomography demonstrated significant anatomic improvement in the majority of patients with macular edema due to CRVO treated with intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide.     

Resolution of serous macular detachment after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide treatment of patients with branch retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide on serous macular detachment in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: Eight eyes of 8 patients with BRVO (6 men and 2 women; age range, 52-76 years) made up the study population. The eligibility criteria for this study included clinically and angiographically detectable cystoid macular edema (CME) in which the presence of serous macular detachment was documented by optical coherence tomography (OCT). After intravitreal injection of 0.1 mL (4 mg) of triamcinolone acetonide, the visual and anatomical responses were observed. RESULTS: In all eyes, after injection of triamcinolone acetonide, CME and serous macular detachment regressed. At 3 and 6 months, CME and serous macular detachment had recurred in 1 eye (12.5%) and 2 eyes (25%), respectively. Patients with recurrence were retreated. No eyes lost vision at 1 month, and all eyes showed improvement. At 3 months, no eyes had lost vision from baseline, and 7 eyes (87.5%) showed improvement. At 6 months, again no eyes had lost vision from baseline, and 7 eyes (87.5%) maintained improved visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results of our study showed prompt resolution of serous macular detachment with corresponding improved visual acuity in patients with CME secondary to BRVO. Further study with longer follow-up and a larger series is warranted to assess the long-term efficacy and safety.     

绿激光联合曲安奈德治疗视网膜中央静脉阻塞的评估

目的:评价绿激光联合曲安奈德在视网膜中央静脉阻塞中的疗效。方法:2006-01/2007-10收治视网膜中央静脉阻塞的44例(49眼),随机分为绿激光联合曲安奈德为治疗组和单纯激光治疗为对照组,随访3mo,比较两组患者视力改善和黄斑水肿消退的情况。结果:两组患者治疗后视力及黄斑水肿均有明显改善,但前者效果优于后者,P<0.05。结论:绿激光联合曲安奈德治疗视网膜中央静脉阻塞在较短时间内即可促进黄斑水肿消退,提高患者视力。     

Intraocular triamcinolone acetonide for macular edema due to CRVO. A multifocal-ERG and OCT study

Purpose To investigate the effectiveness of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of cystoid macular edema due to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). A noncomparative, prospective, interventional case series. Methods In this study 15 eyes of 15 patients (9 males and 6 females) with macular edema due to non-ischemic CRVO were treated with intravitreal injection of 4 mg triamcinolone acetonide and followed-up for 1 year. Examination included measurement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) for distance, measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP), fluorescein angiography, foveal retinal thickness measurement by optical coherence tomography (OCT), and multifocal electroretinography recordings (MFERG) preoperatively 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Results The visual acuity increased to a significant degree at 3 months, to a smaller degree at 6 months but at 12 months there was no significant improvement. The OCT macula thickness improved to a significant level all the follow-up period but with less significance at 12 months. The MFERG recordings from the fovea showed significant improvement at 3 and 6 months. The MFERG from the parafovea area showed significant improvement at 3 and 6 and to a smaller degree at 12 months. The intraocular pressure increased at 3 and 6 months but returned to pretreatment level at 12 months. Conclusion Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide leads to a significant improvement of mean VA in patients with macular edema due to CRVO. However, this significant effect is not permanent and persists for a maximum of 3–6 months. Thereafter all the indexes tend to deteriorate.     

Branch retinal vein occlusion treated by intravitreal triamcinolone

CLINICAL CASES: Five eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) were treated with intravitreal injection of 4 mg of triamcinolone. Four cases showed good visual acuity and macular thickness evolution after one dose. The remaining one case suffered a relapse three months later. Therefore a second injection was performed in that case. DISCUSSION: Several treatments have been suggested to manage macular edema in BRVO. Intravitreal triamcinolone may be a therapeutic option to increase visual acuity and decrease macular thickness in patients with macular edema secondary to BRVO.     

Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for treatment of persistent macular oedema in branch retinal vein occlusion

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection on persistent macular oedema in branch retinal vein occlusion that fails to respond to previous laser photocoagulation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 19 eyes of 19 patients with persistent macular oedema due to branch retinal vein occlusion were treated with 8 mg/0.2 ml of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection. The main outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and macular oedema map values of Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph II (HRT II) before and after intravitreal triamcinolone injection. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 6.2+/-1.0 months. The mean baseline best-corrected logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (LogMAR) value for visual acuities of the patients before intravitreal triamcinolone injection was 1.01+/-0.16. After treatment, it was 0.55+/-0.22 at the 1-month, 0.56+/-0.22 at 3-month, and 0.62+/-0.22 at the last visits and the differences were statistically significant when compared with baseline values (for each, P<0.001). The mean oedema map values on HRT II significantly decreased by 28.5% at 1-month, 23.8% at 3-month, and 23.8% at the last visit when compared with preinjection values (for each, P<0.001). Intraocular pressure elevation exceeding 21 mmHg was observed in 26.3% of eyes at 1-month, 15.7% at 3-month, and 5.2% at the last visit, but was controlled with topical anti-glaucomatous medications in all eyes. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide application is a promising approach in the treatment of persistent macular oedema due to branch retinal vein occlusion non-respondent to laser photocoagulation.     

玻璃体腔注射曲安奈德减轻视网膜静脉阻塞继发的黄斑水肿

目的:评估玻璃体腔内注射曲安奈德(triamcinolone acetonide,TA)治疗视网膜静脉阻塞(retinal vein occlusion,RVO)引起的黄斑水肿的长期安全性与有效性。方法:患者17例17眼出现视网膜静脉阻塞引起的黄斑水肿,接受玻璃体腔内注射2mgTA,随访1a,监测患者视力、黄斑厚度。结果:随访发现,15眼(88%)视力得到明显改善,从术前0.114±0.068增加到术后的0.184±0.094,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),而中央黄斑区的厚度从术前的514.0±67.4μm减少到术后的442.0±61.5μm,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。术后6例患者出现短期眼压升高,并无并发性白内障,玻璃体出血,视网膜脱离以及眼内炎的发生。结论:玻璃体腔内注射TA能长期有效减缓RVO引起的黄斑水肿。     

视网膜中央静脉阻塞黄斑水肿玻璃体腔注射曲安奈德后视网膜电图明视负向反应变化

背景玻璃体腔注射曲安奈德（TA）对于视网膜中央静脉阻塞（CRVO）患者黄斑区水肿的消退以及视力的维持和提高作用较明显,明视负向反应（PhNR）可以反映视网膜内层视网膜神经节细胞（RGCs）及其轴突的功能,两者间是否存在联系是尚待解决的问题。目的比较分析CRVO黄斑水肿患者玻璃体腔内注射TA前后视网膜电图（ERG）的PhNR的变化,探讨PhNR作为治疗过程中监测视网膜功能的价值。方法收集比较CRVO伴黄斑水肿者12例13眼,于玻璃体腔内注射TA（0．1ml,4mg）前1d及注射后4周分别用标准小数视力表、光学相干断层扫描仪（OCT）、德国Roland RETI scan3．15系统检查视力、黄斑区视网膜厚度和PhNR。结果接受TA玻璃体腔注射后4周,12例患者13眼中有12眼视力提高,1眼视力不变。与玻璃体腔注射TA前比较,玻璃体腔注射TA后4周OCT显示黄斑区神经上皮细胞层水肿明显减轻,厚度减小;闪光视网膜电图（F—ERG）显示PhNR在玻璃体腔注射TA后波形明显改善。玻璃体腔注射前后患眼的视力分别为0．32±0．12和0．48±0．09,差异有统计学意义（t=6．325,P=0．000）;玻璃体腔注射后患眼黄斑区神经上皮层厚度与注射前比较明显下降[（459．46±131．31）μmvs（297．54±43．31）μm],差异有统计学意义（t=5．961,P=0．000）,玻璃体腔注射前后患眼的PhNR平均振幅值分别为（61．28±20．16）μV和（80．23±22．96）μV,差异有统计学意义（t=4．438,P=0．001）。玻璃体腔注射TA前后黄斑区神经上皮层厚度与PhNR振幅间均无明显的相关性（注射前：r=0．587,P=0．035;注射后：r=一0．011,P=0．971）。结论CRVO黄斑水肿患者行玻穗蚀日奉内沣射TA后,PhNR可以做为监测患者内层视网膜功能变化的有效指标。     

Macular hole and intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide for macular edema due to central retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE: To report a case of macular hole progression after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) for chronic macular edema secondary to nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS: A 33-year-old woman with massive macular edema after CRVO underwent IVTA. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography were performed before and after the procedure. RESULTS: At the 1-week IVTA injection control, the patient's best-corrected visual acuity improved from 20/400 to 20/200 and OCT detected a progression of macular hole stage. CONCLUSIONS: IVTA steroid injection may provide a significant improvement in macular edema, but injection-related complications may occur such as this uncommon macular reaction resulting in permanent visual loss.     

Loss of visual function after repeated intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide in refractory uveitic macular oedema

Purpose The effects of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide on macular oedema have been evaluated in many studies. Good short-time effects are usually reported on visual function and macular oedema. However, adverse events like intraocular hypertension and cataract formation have been described in humans, and retinal toxicity is found in experimental studies. Case report We report on a 56-year-old male patient with a bilateral macular oedema in idiopathic intermediate uveitis, treated with two and six intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide, respectively, and followed for 6 years. Results The macular oedema disappeared after each intravitreal injection, but each time it recidivated some months later. Visual acuity improved only after the first injections. After six intravitreal injections, visual acuity was limited to counting fingers in the absence of macular oedema. OCT and ERG results show central and peripheral retinal damage that could be a consequence of a retinotoxic property of triamcinolone acetonide. Conclusion Repeated intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide does not show any long-term efficacy on uveitic macular oedema and can even lead to irreversible global retinal damage.     

Intravitreal versus retrobulbar injections of triamcinolone for macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE: To compare the short-term effect of intravitreal versus retrobulbar injection of triamcinolone acetonide for the treatment of macular edema caused by branch retinal vein occlusion. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Sixty eyes of 60 patients who had macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion were randomly assigned to receive a single intravitreal injection (4 mg) or repeated retrobulbar injections (40 mg, three times) of triamcinolone. These injections (first injection in the retrobulbar group) were given approximately 1 week after focal laser photocoagulation. Using optical coherence tomography, the central retinal (foveal) thickness and total macular volume were measured before and at 1 and 3 months after injection. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and the incidence of reinjection were also examined. Fifty-two patients (86.7%) completed the 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: The mean foveal thickness and total macular volume decreased significantly after either intravitreal or repeated retrobulbar triamcinolone injections. Foveal thickness and macular volume were significantly less after intravitreal injection than after repeated retrobulbar injections, although there had been no significant differences at baseline. The percent reductions in foveal thickness and macular volume were also greater after intravitreal injection than after retrobulbar injections. Improvement in visual acuity was significantly better after intravitreal injection than after the retrobulbar injections. The incidence of intraocular pressure rise (to > or =20 mm Hg) was greater in the intravitreal group than in the retrobulbar group, but this was readily controlled by the use of antiglaucoma medications. After completion of the 3-month follow-up, 24 patients (46.2%) underwent reinjection. The need for reinjections was significantly greater in the retrobulbar group than in the intravitreal group (P = .0001). CONCLUSIONS: A single intravitreal injection of triamcinolone is significantly more effective than are repeated retrobulbar injections in reducing macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion, and leads to greater improvement in visual acuity.