Intravitreal Injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide on Refractory Uveitis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (4 mg) on refractory uveitis with cystoid macular edema (CME). METHODS: A retrospective observation survey was conducted on 21 eyes of 15 patients with refractory uveitis that had no response to immunosuppresants or systemic steroid therapy. Seven eyes were injected with triamcinolone acetonide intravitreally only, and fourteen eyes were injected during pars plana vitrectomy. At 3 and 12 months after triamcinolone acetonide injection, best corrected visual acuity and thickness of macula were measured by OCT. RESULTS: The average pre-treatment best corrected visual acuity was 0.18+/-0.08, and the average macular thickness was 534+/-132 micrometer. At 3 months after injection, the results for the same parameters were 0.45+/-0.18, 345+/-125 micrometer respectively. At 12 months after injection, they were 0.30+/-0.09, 498+/-133 micrometer respectively. Thus, best corrected visual acuity had improved and macular thickness had decreased at 3 months post-injection for the groups with intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide and intravitreal injection during pars plana vitrectomy. However, these changes in best corrected visual acuity and macular thickness were not observed 12 months after injection. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide had a temporary effect on refractory uveitis with cystoid macular edema (CME). However, a study that includes more participants will be necessary for conclusive evaluation.