Management of lipid exudates in Coats disease by adjuvant intravitreal triamcinolone: effects and complications

Abstract

AIM To evaluate the role of intravitreal Triamcinolone (TA) in the early management of Coats disease. METHODS Retrospective, interventional case series. RESULTS 15 consecutive cases with Coats disease were managed with 4 mg/0.1 ml intravitreal TA injection on presentation and were followed for a minimum of 1 year duration. Additional management strategies including drainage of subretinal fluid through an inferior sclerotomy, peripheral laser ablation and/or cryotherapy, cataract extraction and vitrectomy were performed. Improvement of visual acuity could be achieved compared with preoperative vision in all cases in this series, even when 40% needed cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation. One patient needed antiglaucoma treatment to control raised intraocular pressure in this series. CONCLUSIONS Triamcinolone has a role in improving the rate of absorption of subretinal fluid and macular exudates in Coats disease. The major complication of 4 mg/0.1 ml intravitreal triamcinolone is cataract in 40% of cases in children.