The Effect of Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide on Intraocular Pressure

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of a single intravitreal injection of 4.0 mg/0.1ml triamcinolone acetonide on intraocular pressure (IOP). METHODS: Retrospective studies were conducted by reviewing the charts of 26 eyes of 24 patients that were followed up for 16 weeks after intravitreal triamcinolone injection. The IOPs before and after triamcinolone injection were measured with Goldmann applanation tonometer. RESULTS: Within 16 weeks after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection, 23 of 26 eyes (88.5%) demonstrated an increment in IOP of 5 mmHg or greater, and 6 of 26 (23.1%) had an increment of 10 mmHg or greater. The mean duration of the increase in IOP of 5 mmHg or greater was 5.5 weeks (standard deviation=4.4), and the mean time to reach maximum IOP was 6.6 weeks (standard deviation=4.4). The difference between the mean pre-injection IOP (14.12 mmHg, n=26) and the maximum post-injection IOP (24.65 mmHg, n=26) was statistically significant (P<0.001). All eyes that needed treatment responded to topical glaucoma medication. CONCLUSIONS: An increment in IOP is a common complication after a single intravitreal injection of 4.0 mg/0.1ml triamcinolone acetonide and despite this serious increment in IOP, it was controlled by topical glaucoma medication.