Retinal and choroidal vascular occlusion secondary to corticosteroid embolisation

We report a case of visual loss following intranasal injection of triamcinolone acetonide and phenylephrine hydrochloride in a 22-year-old female with chronic sinusitis. Clinical examination and fluorescein angiography revealed vascular occlusions which involved multiple small branches of both the choroidal and retinal circulations. The mechanism of such a complication probably involves inadvertent intra-arterial injection into the anterior or the posterior ethmoidal artery, with retrograde flow into the opthalmic arterial system. Precautions can be taken to avoid such complications.