Posterior sub-Tenon injections of repository corticosteroids in uveitis patients with cystoid macular edema

Abstract

Repository corticosteroid was injected into the posterior sub-Tenon space in 29 cases (39 eyes) of cystoid macular edema (CME) secondary to uveitis. There were 12 cases of Behçet's disease, 7 cases of sarcoidosis, one case of tuberculous uveitis, and 9 cases of etiology unknown uveitis. In some of the patients injections were repeated 2 to 7 times at intervals of more than 2 weeks. Twenty-two of the 39 treated eyes (56.4%) showed visual improvement in at least two lines of visual acuity. Fifteen of the 22 eyes had maintained improved visual acuity over 6 months. Eleven eyes showed no improvement in vision. Most of them already had poor visual acuity (0.2 or less) before the injections. Complications of the treatment included cataract in 6 eyes, glaucoma in one, and blepharoptosis in one. Injection of repository corticosteroids into the posterior sub-Tenon space is of value in the treatment of CME secondary to uveitis. However, we have to beware of the complications of treatment.