Effects of intravitreal triamcinolone injection on macular edema and visual prognosis in central retinal vein...

To determine the effect of intravitreal triamcinolone injection on macular edema and the visual prognosis in cases with CRVO.

Eyes with CRVO were classified as ischemic or nonischemic according to extend of retinal capillary nonperfusion. The patients received intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection (4 mg/0.1 ml). A complete ophthalmologic evaluation together with flourescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed for each patient at presentation and at follow-up visits. The functional and anatomical results of both groups were assessed separately.

A total of 22 eyes (11 ischemic, 11 nonischemic) were included in the study. Mean duration of symptoms before steroid injection was 4.9+/-5.5 months. Mean follow-up time was 11.5+/-2.4. All the eyes completed at least 9 months of examination. At least 3 lines of visual acuity increase using snellen visual acuity chart was observed in 81.8% of the eyes in nonischemic group, while only in 18.2% of the eyes in the ischemic group. In ischemic group, the mean foveal thickness was 766+/-320.7 microm at presentation, which significantly decreased to 441.7+/-166.9 microm at 9th month. In nonischemic group, the mean foveal thickness was 667+/-223 microm at presentation, which significantly decreased to 320+/-175.5 at 9th month. Significant IOP elevation was observed in 8 (36.4%) of the eyes, 75% of which could be controlled with medical treatment.

Intravitreal triamcinolone injection may be a promising and effective method for the treatment of macular edema associated with CRVO. Although anatomical results are similar in both groups, functional results are better in non-ischemic CRVO cases.