The effect of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide on intraocular pressure

Abstract

Background and objective: To ascertain whether a single 4-mg intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection is associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP).

Patients and methods: Retrospective noncomparative interventional case series. Forty-three consecutive eyes of 38 patients who had 12 weeks of follow-up were included. The IOPs before and after triamcinolone acetonide treatment were recorded by Goldmann applanation at each patient visit.

Results: Within 12 weeks after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection, 21 of 43 eyes (48.8%) demonstrated an increase in IOP of 5 mm Hg or greater, and 12 of 43 eyes (27.9%) had an increase in IOP of 10 mm Hg or greater. The mean time for an increase in IOP of 5 mm Hg or greater to occur was 4.1 weeks (standard deviation = 4.8 weeks), and the mean time to reach maximum IOP was 6.6 weeks (standard deviation = 5.1). The difference between the mean pre-injection IOP (15.12 mm Hg, n = 43) and the maximum post-injection IOP (20.74 mm Hg, n = 43) was statistically significant (P < .0001).

Conclusion: A single 4-mg intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection is associated with an increase in IOP of 10 mm Hg or greater in 27.9% of eyes after the first injection. All eyes responded to topical glaucoma medication.