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Subconjunctival corticosteroid may treat certain cases of anterior scleritis
Ophthalmology. 2011;118(10):1932-1937.
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Subconjunctival triamcinolone acetonide may be used to treat non-necrotizing, noninfectious anterior scleritis, with the limited side effect of elevated IOP in a small percentage of patients, a study found.
"Subconjunctival triamcinolone acetonide injection seems to be a useful treatment for scleritis even in persistent cases when the patient is taking systemic medication," the authors said.
Sixty-eight eyes of 53 patients from nine hospitals in the United States, Singapore and Australia with 6 or more months of follow-up were included in this retrospective, interventional, noncomparative, multicenter analysis. All were injected with 2 mg to 8 mg of triamcinolone acetonide and followed for a mean duration of 2.3 years.
Nearly all eyes experienced improvements in signs and symptoms. After a single injection, approximately two-thirds were free of recurrence for 2 years, and about half of those who had adverse effects from systemic medications were no longer taking these medications at last follow-up.
While approximately one-fifth of eyes experienced ocular hypertension, only two required IOP-lowering agents, and two required glaucoma surgery. No cases of scleral necrosis or melt occurred; however, future prospective studies were recommended to determine when postoperative discontinuation of systemic medications is safe.