Triamcinolone-induced intraocular pressure elevation: intravitreal injection for macular edema and posterior subtenon...

To assess the effect of intravitreal and posterior subtenon injections of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) on intraocular pressure (IOP).

we reviewed 42 consecutive eyes after intravitreal TA injection (IVTA) and 43 eyes following posterior subtenon TA injection (PSTA). All cases had a minimum follow-up time of three months. After injection, the value and time of the maximal IOP, the amount of IOP elevation and the needs of the medication were assessed.

The lOP increased significantly (p < 0.001) from 16.3 +/- 2.5 mmHg preoperatively to a mean maximum of 21.7 +/- 5.3 mmHg in the IVTA group, and from 15.3 +/- 4.5 mmHg to 20.6 +/- 3.0 mmHg in the PSTA group. An elevation in the IOP of more than 5 mmHg from the baseline lOP was seen in 52.4% of the IVTA group at a mean time of 3.1 weeks postoperatively, and 44.2% of the PSTA group displayed an IOP elevation at 5.9 weeks.

Both developed significant elevations of IOP, but this appeared at a later date in the PSTA group. Careful follow-up after local injection of steroids is necessary.