[Variations in intraocular pressure (IOP) and necessity for paracentesis following intravitreal triamcinolone...

Intravitreal triamcinolone injection (IVT) has become a treatment option for macular edema of heterogeneous etiology and neovascular retinal diseases including AMD. Besides the risk for a steroid-induced secondary open-angle glaucoma, the acute rise in intravitreal volume induces IOP elevations immediately after injection. To decrease the intravitreal volume a paracentesis is advocated by many surgeons. The aim of this study was to determine variations in IOP at different time points immediately after IVT in order to assess the necessity for routine paracentesis.

The IOP was recorded by Goldmann applanation tonometry preoperatively, 10 minutes, 1, 3 and 24 hours after intravitreal injection of 0.1 mL (4 mg) triamcinolone. A consecutive series of 32 eyes of 32 patients with diabetic macular edema, diffuse edema after central vein occlusion or occult subfoveal choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration was included. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA test and Bonferroni correction.

Compared to baseline (15.24 +/- 0.52 mm Hg) IOP was significantly elevated 10 min postoperatively (22.28 +/- 1.4 mmHg; p < 0.05). One hour after injection IOP decreased to 15.58 +/- 0.69 mmHg (p < 0.05). Three and 24 h after injection mean IOP was not significantly different from preoperative baseline levels. Immediately after IVT light perception was tested and retinal perfusion was evaluated by indirect ophthalmoscopy. In none of the patients was a paracentesis necessary.

Intravitreal injection of 0.1 mL triamcinolone led to a moderate transient rise in IOP. Based on these results, a routinely performed paracentesis immediately before or after IVT is not required. As paracentesis bears an additional risk including endophthalmitis it should only be considered if functional testing following injection indicates a relevant impairment of retinal perfusion.