Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for the treatment of macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and security of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) in the treatment of macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion. (BRVO) Methods Twenty-one eyes of 23 patients with severe macular edema due to BRVO underwent IVTA with 4mg/0.1ml. Best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), inflammatory extent, manifestation of lens and fundus were observed before treatment and one day, three days, one week, one month, three months after treatment. The retinal thickness was examined by optic coherent tomography (OCT). Results Of all 23 eyes 20 eyes (86.9%) had improved visual acuity, 3 eyes(13.1%) remained the same. The LogMAR visual acuity was 0.75±0.48 before treatment, while 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after IVTA, the average visual acuity was 0.57±0.43, 0.38±0.32 and 0.29±0.29 respectively. The average retinal thickness at macular area was 611±149μm before treatment, while1 week, 1 month and 3 months after IVTA, the average retinal thickness was 325± 129μm, 208±55μm and 173±38μm respectively, which had statistical significance compared with that be- fore treatment. (P0.01) 3 eyes (13.1%) of all 23 eyes had high intraocular pressure (IOP) temporarily , and IOP was controlled after treated with topical eye drop. No eye developed endophthalmitis, cataract, retinal detachment, or vitreous hemorrhage. Conclusions IVTA is effective for macular edema secondary to BRVO in a short time.