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. 2003 Apr;87(4):462-8.
doi: 10.1136/bjo.87.4.462.

Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for exudative age related macular degeneration

J B Jonas  1 , I Kreissig, P Hugger, G Sauder, S Panda-Jonas, R Degenring
Affiliations

Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for exudative age related macular degeneration

J B Jonas et al. Br J Ophthalmol. 2003 Apr.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide on the visual acuity of patients with exudative age related macular degeneration, to assess the duration of a possible effect, and to evaluate clinical side effects of the treatment.

Methods: The study included 67 patients (71 eyes) who presented with exudative age related macular degeneration of predominantly or total occult type (n = 68) or classic type (n = 3), and who received once, or repeatedly, an intravitreal injection of 25 mg of crystalline triamcinolone acetonide. Mean follow up time was 7.46 (SD 3.54) months (range 3.1-19.57 months).

Results: Visual acuity increased significantly (p <0.001) from 0.16 (0.11) to a mean maximum of 0.23 (0.17). Postoperative visual acuity was highest 1-3 months after the injection. 47 (66.2%) eyes gained in maximal visual acuity and 11 (15.5%) eyes lost in visual acuity. Intraocular pressure increased significantly (p <0.001) from 15.1 (3.1) mm Hg at baseline to a maximal value of 23.0 (8.25) mm Hg. At the end of follow up, intraocular pressure again decreased significantly (p<0.001) to 16.8 (4.9) mm Hg. No cases of postoperative infectious endophthalmitis, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, or proliferative vitreoretinopathy occurred. Owing to a decrease in visual acuity after an initial increase, six patients received a second intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection after which visual acuity increased again in three eyes.

Conclusions: Intravitreal injection of 25 mg of crystalline triamcinolone acetonide merits further study for the treatment of exudative age related macular degeneration.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Box plots showing the visual acuity (VA) before and after the intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide. Measurements in Snellen units.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Graph showing the mean and confidence intervals (95%) of visual acuity (VA) before and after the intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide. Measurements in Snellen units.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Diagram showing the individual course of visual acuity after the first intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide for all eyes included in the study.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Histogram showing the distribution of the change in visual acuity 3 months after the intravitreal injection of 25 mg of triamcinolone acetonide.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Histogram showing the distribution of the change in visual acuity 6 months after the intravitreal injection of 25 mg of triamcinolone acetonide.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Diagram showing the individual course of visual acuity after the second intravitreal injection of 25 mg of triamcinolone acetonide.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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