Intravitreal and posterior subtenon triamcinolone acetonide in idiopathic bilateral uveitic macular oedema

Abstract

Purpose: To study the efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) versus posterior subtenon triamcinolone acetonide (PSTA) in bilateral macular oedema secondary to idiopathic intermediate uveitis.

Methods: In a prospective, interventional case series, 10 patients (20 eyes) with bilateral uveitic macular oedema were included. Patients underwent fundus fluorescein angiography, record of visual acuity and intraocular pressure (IOP). Patients received IVTA 4 mg/0.1 mL in one eye and PSTA 20 mg/0.5 mL in the fellow eye at an interval of > or =4 weeks. The outcome measures were record of IOP, best corrected visual acuity and angiographic resolution of cystoid macular oedema at 3 and 6 months.

Results: The mean pre-intervention IOP at baseline between the IVTA and the PSTA group was comparable. At 1 week, the mean IOP recorded was greater in the eyes that received IVTA than those that received PSTA (P < 0.001). However, at 1- and 3-month follow up, the mean IOP between the two groups was similar. Best corrected visual acuity of > or =6/12 achieved at 3 and 6 months in the IVTA and PSTA group was comparable (77.8% vs. 44.4% [P = 0.14] and 88.9% vs. 77.8% [P = 0.53]). There was also no significant difference in angiographic resolution of cystoid macular oedema at 3 (P = 0.32) and 6 months (P = 0.53) between the two groups. Recurrence of macular oedema was seen in one and two eyes that received IVTA and PSTA, respectively, at 6 months.

Conclusion: Triamcinolone acetonide injection, whether administered intravitreally or via posterior subtenon route, is an effective treatment option in achieving complete anatomic and functional improvement in cases treated for macular oedema secondary to idiopathic intermediate uveitis.