[Macular oedema and intravitreal triamcinolone injections]

To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone injections for macular oedema in Iceland 2004-2006.

We reviewed hospital records of 28 patients who underwent intravitreal injection with triamcinolone acetonide 2004-2006. Most patients were treated with 8 mg of triamcinolone acetonide. Patients were categorized according to the cause of macular oedema (diabetes (n=10), phacoemulsification (n=7), branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) (n=7) and uveitis (n=4)). Best corrected visual acuity was determined before treatment and 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Intraocular pressure and foveal thickness were measured before and after treatment.

Visual acuity improved in 4 patients with diabetic macular oedema while 5 had unchanged vision. The effect lasted 6 months in 8 out of 9 cases. Seven were treated for macular oedema after phacoemulsification. Two had improved visual acuity after the injection and 5 had unchanged eye sight. The effect lasted for 6 months in every case except for one who lost vision. Out of 7 who were treated for macular oedema after BRVO, 3 had improved visual acuity and 4 remained unchanged for 6 months. Four patients with uveitis got triamcinolone injections and a month after treatment 2 had better vision and 2 had unchanged visual acuity. The effect lasted for 6 months in all cases but one. In the diabetes and BRVO groups OCT showed a significant reduction of foveal thickness. In 4 cases intraocular pressure increased, all of them were successfully treated with topical treatment.

Intravitreal triamcinolone improves visual acuity in about 40% of patients with macular oedema, about 10% lose vision and about 50% remain unchanged. OCT reveal improved anatomic results with significant reduction of foveal thickness and macular oedema. No serious complications were noted.