Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide (IVTA) associated with laser photocoagulation in the treatment of cystoid macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).
Methods: :
Fifteen eyes of 15 patients with macular edema due to BRVO, persisting for more than 3 months, were retrospectively evaluated. All eyes received 4 mg/0,1 ml of IVTA 1 to 3 weeks before laser grid photocoagulation. Main outcome measures were change in central macular thickness (CMT) on optical coherence tomography (OCT), change in visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP) and progression of cataract at 3, 6 and 9 months.
Results: :
All patients completed 9 months of follow–up. Mean (SD) CMT decreased significantly from 469.1 (136.7) µm at baseline to 312.2 (116.66) (p=0.002), 321.2 (94.86) (p=0.004) and 332.1 (109.66) (p=0.005) at 3, 6 and 9 months. Mean (SD) VA LogMar improved from 0.39 (0.25) to 0,20 (0,14) (p=0.006), 0.26 (0.22) (p=0,023), 0,27 (0.23) (p=0,028) at 3, 6 and 9 months. Intraocular pressure exceeded 21 mmHg in 6 eyes and was controlled by topical medications. No cataract progression was observed.
Conclusions: :
IVTA, as an adjunctive treatment to laser grid photocoagulation, led to a significant reduction of central macular thickness and improvement in VA in patients with persistent macular edema due to BRVO.
Keywords: vascular occlusion/vascular occlusive disease