Abstract
Background: :
Intravitreal Triamcinolone (IVT) is commonly used to treat a variety of vitreoretinal disorders. Undoubtedly, IVT use is associated with the potential for long term intraocular pressure (IOP) rise. However, the short–term IOP change (within 1 week) has not been characterized.
Purpose: :
: Description of the IOP trends during the 7 days following IVT injection.
Design: :
Retrospective chart review.
Methods: :
Review of 30 patients who underwent 37 consecutive IVT injections (4mg/0.1cc). The effect of IVT injection on IOP was analyzed.
Results: :
Mean pre–injection IOP was 15.25 ± 3.42 mmHg (mean ± SD) with a range of 9–26 mmHg. Mean post–injection IOP (approximately 30 minutes after injection) was 20.33 ± 7.99 mmHg with a range of 5–45 mmHg (3 eyes with IOP >30). Mean IOP change from pre–injection to post–injection was 4.81 ± 7.69 mmHg. Mean IOP one day after injection was 16.19 ± 4.48 mm Hg with a range of 6–27 mm Hg. Mean IOP 5–7 days after injection was 16.77 ± 5.28 mm Hg with a range 5–28. No patients were treated with IOP lowering agents or underwent anterior chamber paracentesis.
Conclusions: :
IVT injection in this limited series appears to cause a rapid transient IOP rise which normalizes quickly. We recommend avoiding anterior chamber paracentesis as this procedure is associated with risks. Additionally, patients may not need to wait in the office for a post–injection IOP check. This may improve compliance and facilitate clinic flow.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications • injection • intraocular pressure