Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide for Treatment of Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide on visual acuity and intraocular pressure in patients with central retinal vein occlusion.

Methods

This prospective comparative non-randomized clinical interventional study included 32 patients (33 eyes) with central retinal vein occlusion. The study group (12 patients; 13 eyes) received an intravitreal injection of about 20 mg of triamcinolone acetonide. The control group (20 patients) did not receive any treatment. Mean follow-up was 10.1±8.6 months in the study group and 6.0±5.2 months in the control group.

Results

In the study group, mean visual acuity increased significantly (p=0.018) from 0.11±0.11 preoperatively to a best visual acuity during follow-up of 0.18±0.15. An improvement in visual acuity by at least 2 Snellen lines and 3 Snellen lines, respectively was found for 8 (62%) eyes and 5 (38) eyes. Visual acuity measurements determined 1 month (p=0.038) and 3 months (p=0.046) after the injection were significantly higher than the baseline values. Increase in visual acuity was higher in the non-ischemic subgroup than in the ischemic subgroup. In the control group, baseline visual acuity and best visual acuity during the follow-up did not vary significantly (p=0.33). Visual acuity decreased significantly (p=0.007) towards the end of the follow-up. Comparing study group and control group, gain in visual acuity was significantly (p=0.01) higher in the study group. In the study group, intraocular pressure increased significantly (p=0.018) from 14.4±3.9 mmHg to a mean maximal value of 21.6±9.2 mmHg (range, 10–44 mmHg), and re-decreased (p=0.012) towards the end of follow-up to 15.3±5.1 mmHg (range, 10–21 mmHg).

Conclusions

Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide temporarily increases visual acuity in central retinal vein occlusion. It is accompanied by an increase in intraocular pressure.