Triamcinolone effective for some with macular edema, CRVO

Intravitreal injections of triamcinolone improved visual acuity and decreased retinal thickening in some patients with macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusions, according to a retrospective study.

Patients with nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) responded more favorably than those with ischemic CRVO, the study authors said.

Michael S. Ip, MD, and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami reviewed the charts of 13 eyes of 13 patients with macular edema associated with CRVO. All patients were treated with an injection of 4 mg of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide. Injections were administered through the pars plana using a 27- or 30-gauge needle.

The median duration of symptoms before injection was 8 months. Mean baseline VA was 20/500 in the affected eye. At the 6-month follow-up, mean VA was 20/180 in the affected eye. No patient had a decrease in VA.

Five eyes with nonischemic CRVO demonstrated a significant improvement in VA. Eight eyes with ischemic CRVO showed a nonsignificant improvement. No adverse effects such as retinal detachment or endophthalmitis occurred. One patient experienced an increase in IOP that was controlled with aqueous suppressants.

The study is published in the August issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.